Calm in the Country

"Imagine a calm, serene mother, who accepts whatever life presents her with.  Unexpected or unwanted events don't rattle her.  She never overreacts.  She's aware of the times when she lacks wisdom or compassion but she doesn't waste days feeling guilty, she might do better next time.  She's self-aware, but because she has fostered self-love, she is not self-conscious or self-absorbed when she talks to others.  Her friends say she is gentle and kind in a genuine way.  Her brothers and sisters add that she is clear in her thinking and good at making decisions.  She seems to make others feel comfortable, special even, and there's no shortage of people who love her.  Her children delight in her company for she makes them feel important and understood.  She's creative, spontaneous and quick to laugh because no matter what she's doing, life is play, not work."

~ excerpt from Buddhism For Mothers by Sarah Napthali 

I am by no means the woman described in this passage, or even a practicing Buddhist for that matter, but when I read this book when I was pregnant, this paragraph stuck.  I had thought plenty about the kind of mother I wanted to be, and it was this idea of mindful mothering that felt natural and right for me.  Whenever I am experiencing all those motherly highs and lows I seem to have this passage in my mind, either reminding me to take a minute to re-approach a situation calmly and mindfully, or allowing me to feel proud, not only of my boy (because obviously I am overflowing with pride for him at all times!), but proud of myself and the mother I am growing up to be.