Finding Your Passion - for Moms
I find that one group of people that I deal with have a particularly tough time in figuring out what their passion in life is. That group consists of women with families. The reason they have such a tough time is that for 15-20 years they've been Mom 110%, focusing on the kids and the spouse, and never thought about what they might want to do or be.They come up for air, usually in their early 40's when the kids are starting to leave home, and realize that they don't have any idea what they want for themselves, or how to figure it out. There is also, for some, still a feeling of guilt and selfishness for even asking the question!
Well, I want to say two things to women in this situation. First, thank you! Those of us who were lucky enough to have a mother like you are blessed indeed. You loved us, cared for us, kissed our hurts and gave us the best you had. We are very grateful.
Second, you now have permission to take care of yourself, even if all the kids aren't gone yet. After all, you've earned it, you deserve it and you're worth it. See, each one of us has a special gift to give the world, beyond the gift you've given your family. If you don't figure out what yours is, the world will lose out, and so will you.
There is a life force within us that is always urging us on to grow and expand. One of my mentors, Bob Proctor, likes to quote Thomas Troward who said, "Spirit within us is always for expansion and greater expression." Wallace Wattles, in "The Science of Getting Rich" tells us to "..fix upon your consciousness the fact that the desire you feel is one with the desire of the Supreme Power for more complete expression."
So, after 20 years of serving others, how do you get in touch with what you want? Well, here's a few ideas. This will take some work, but the results will be well worth it .
You will need some quiet time to yourself. That's a big step in itself, but get used to it! Get a pad of paper and start listing all the activities you've participated in, as far back as you can remember. Every game, every activity, every class, every vacation, every daydream, every organization, job, volunteer position and recreation. List all the many "jobs" you hold as a wife and mother - organizing, counseling, teaching, patching up wounds, managing finances, chauffeur, coach, purchasing agent, home decorator, landscaper, etc, etc.
As you go over these things, find the parts that gave you real satisfaction, the things that you liked. You'll feel them inside - that warm glow of joy and fulfillment, the feeling of competency. Perhaps you'll get in touch with something you remember that you always wanted to do, but never did. Make a second list of all these things.
Keep working on these lists for several weeks. You'll remember things as you keep this project in your mind, and you can keep adding things to the second list. DO NOT try to decide whether anything is possible or practical, that's not your job. Your job is only to listen to your heart, the voice within, and write the stuff down.
After you're pretty sure you've got everything down, start a third list. This is a list of things that you are good at - your skills and talents. If you have trouble with complementing yourself ("Don't be conceited!" is the voice in your mind) then ask someone you trust to help you. Get at least 10 things on the list.
Just doing this exercise should have opened your eyes to possiblities already, and here's a final step that will really help. Take the top 10 things you like and the top 10 skills you have and put those lists side by side. Look at them, think about them and see what stands out as a combination. Within those two lists is the key to the rest of your life!
If you have any questions or need help, post a comment here or write to me directly using the Contact form on this web site. Happy Mother's Day!
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