Satya -Truthfulness: Can we see the truth of our child in front of us, and of our own mother-self, without attachment, ego, or pride? Can we be truthful about our needs as mothers?
Being honest with others requires first that we are honest with ourselves. In the quiet (or not so quiet) space of our homes, we probably have an easier time facing down the truth of where we’re at physically, mentally and emotionally with ourselves and our family. And for many of us, it’s an exhausted road of tantrums, crying (for littles and us) and conversations crying out to be shared with your partner. We want to feel NORMAL and be reminded that this is part of motherhood that we all go through, ups and downs. Let’s face it though, in a crowded room of family, friends or even other mommies, we’re probably the worst at sharing the REAL truth of where are needs are at. We too often try to candy-coat our truth with practiced smiles and stories of all the super mom accomplishments we’ve completed or wish we had. The truth is that the opposite reaction is felt for many – regret, guilt, exhaustion. Why do we feel the need to close doors when really we should be spilling the hard and beautiful truth to those around us? I believe it all comes back to the loss of our once coveted VILLAGE. Where mamas, dads, sisters, grandmothers, daughters and sons shared all of life’s joys and defeats and witnessed the healing of the support from others. I digress, more on Villages in a later rant perhaps.
Satya and seeing our own truthfulness. We can start to understand, share and maybe even rethink parenting obstacles by seeing the truth of what they are – not what society or the random advice-giving person at the grocery store thinks they should be. They are the raw truth of life – the raw emotion of a 2-year old trying to figure out boundaries and limits by screaming and hitting, while yearning for guidance and compassion. The up all night with a crying or hungry baby who is growing faster than you want and needs you to help them understand it. The loss of a former life of freedom to the constant feeling of being needed by everyone around you all the time, and your quiet scream to be held and listened to. The quiet moment when everyone has decided that today nap time is on the schedule, and you have an hour of “me” time and a hundred things to cram in to it. These are all raw truths – and they are all powerful when we stop to see the strength they require from us but also bestow on to us. Take a moment in the coming days to stop and really look and listen to your baby/toddler/partner and allow yourself to feel the raw truthfulness of who they are, what they need, and where they are going. The truth is that this is the hardest endeavor you will ever find yourself in – allow your satya to be there for your children, your partner, your friends, those mommies you don’t even know – then swing it right on back to yourself…Rock on Beautiful Mamas, you are Amazing!
“Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be…There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God/the Divine within us. It is not in just some of us. It is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others.”~ Marianne Williamson