Wake up. Breakfast. Dishes. Play. Grocery Store. Nap. Clean. Lunch. Dishes. Play. Nap. Chores. Snack. Cook. Dinner. Dishes. Bath. Bedtime. Clean.
Repeat.
Does this sound familiar? As moms, it can be easy to feel like we are stuck doing the same things over and over again. It can feel as if the work we are doing isn’t meaningful like we somehow landed a job as a maid, cook, and servant - with no salary. It’s easy to feel rundown and discouraged as you look at others and see how the world praises their career accomplishments, their perfect pictures on social media, or their bountiful bank accounts.
Yes, the world will tell you that your most important work will be in your career, on social media, or in your bank account. However, as religious leader Harold B. Lee beautifully stated, “the most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home.” Yes, it’s a job with no salary - but the benefits are indescribable.
Mothers - the love you give to your children can change the world. Truly.
The Dalai Lama is the highest spiritual leader of Tibet; however, he was forced to flee his homeland in the 1959 Tibetan Uprising and has since lived in exile in India. He has not returned to his beloved Tibet in 63 years and yet, he has no harsh feelings against those who are keeping him away from the land he loves most. He credits his mother’s love for his ability to maintain such a peaceful perspective and countenance. In The Book of Joy, the Dalai Lama is asked how he is able to cultivate non-anguish. His response is simple: “I had my mother’s love.”
Think about that - having his mother’s love helped the Dalai Lama become who he is today. A man whose life is dedicated to peace, holiness, and love. His positive ideals have inspired millions, his humility and popularity stretch across the globe, and he has received dozens of awards and honors in the name of peace. His mother gave him love - and in turn, she made the world a much better place.
There is no one who can take the place of a mother. A mother’s unconditional love helps their child thrive in an environment where they feel safe, secure, and confident. Mothers, you are the only one who can be your child’s mother. You are the only one who has the capacity to give them that unconditional love. There is no one else in the world who can love and nurture them like you can. What an incredible gift!
The love of a mother is unlike anything else. It gives you the courage to become the best version of yourself. It gives you wings to fly. It gives you the strength to try again after you’ve failed. It gives you the peace of knowing and being confident in who you are. It gives you the perspective needed to survive in the craziness of the world. It gives you the ability to give pure love back to the world - because you first had pure love given to you.
Motherhood may not come with a grand award. It will lessen your bank account and it will surely not be all beautiful social media worthy moments. But it will fill your heart with indescribable joy, wonder, and love. It will be the greatest opportunity you have to make the world a better place.
Mothers, loving your children well will be the most important work you ever do - because the love you give to your children will change the world.