Today's Mantra

"Today may my words be clear, kind, and uplifting."

I lack patience. No, really. Ask anyone who knows me. I have zero patience. I have even less patience with my lack of patience.

It's so much easier for me to fly off the handle and raise my voice for no reason than to take a nice slow count to ten and regroup. I mean, really, who wants to slow down and breathe when it's sooo much easier and more instantly gratifying to just yell at the top of your lungs?

Regardless of my personal desire to throw a Desperate Housewives of NJ move and turn over a table while screaming like a madwoman, I have young eyes and ears for whom I need to set an example.

Stomping my feet and throwing a temper tantrum that would rival the Emmy-worthy ones of my two and three year old really isn't acceptable. And somehow, I just don't think it's very effective to yell back at your child to not yell at you.

So when I registered for Mothering magazine, I was given a free gift. When I opened this OM-esque box of uplifting mom-mantras, I rolled my eyes and chucked them in my purse fully expecting that they would hit the floor at dinner one night and quickly head to their funeral in the garbage can.

But this morning, in a desperate attempt to maintain any shred of sanity I have left as we enter the 5th week of Hubs' travelling, I flipped through the cards, grabbed one that seemed easy to remember, read it a few times, and shoved it in my back pocket.

I've used it at least two dozen times today. "Today may my words be clear, kind, and uplifting." Rinse, repeat.

Taking the time to slow down and read the mantra actually DOES help me to recenter myself and enter a mindful state. I've noticed an improvement in my patience (or lack thereof). And while my kiddos aren't exactly responsive to the "new and improved Mama" yet, I am hoping that this will be the one area of my life that I can follow through on and integrate into my daily routine. And maybe, just maybe, the zen-like demeanor that I am desperately trying to attain can translate to my Colombian/Irish hybrid children and we can have a little more peace around here.

But don't worry... I'm realistic. And at the end of the day, I'm still me: impatient, loud, and incurably sarcastic.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama