Five Ways to Celebrate Yourself on Mother’s Day
There are lots of Mother’s Day gifts I’ll remember forever. Hand-made cards. Breakfasts in bed. Flowers.
But this week, I got the best gift ever. My younger son wrote me this note:
“My mom is my number one fan. I love her because she is smart and caring and because she changes people’s lives. I am really proud to be my mom’s son. Everybody loves her, but I love her most. She is the BEST cook and she really loves to make us eat at the kitchen table together. Sometimes I fight her on that because I want to watch TV or sit on the couch, but I love dinner after she makes us all talk and laugh together. My mom is all about her family, she loves bringing everyone together, usually around food! Happy Mother’s Day to the bestest mom in the whole wide world. I love you so so so so so much!”
Yes, it made me cry. And I’m going to keep it forever and ever.
What’s more, on those days when I’m feeling guilty over working late or missing a baseball game, I’m going to read it again. I’m going to realize that being beautifully imperfect as a parent is just fine. I’m going to remember that while I sometimes magnify my shortcomings as a mom, my kids remember the good stuff. And I’m going to celebrate myself.
And you know what? That’s exactly what I want you to do on this Mother’s Day! Whether you’re a mom yourself, or you’re spending the day with your own mom or remembering a mother who’s passed away, I want you to celebrate yourself.
Yes, you’ve probably screwed up plenty in your mother-child relationship—haven’t we all?—and it’s easy to focus on the stuff you did wrong. But today, I want you to focus on everything you’ve done right.
To help in this process, take a few minutes to do my “five-by-five” exercise. Here’s how it works:
- Think of five kind things you’ve done as a mom, or as a son or daughter.
- Think of five times you’ve made your mom or your child happy.
- Think of five times you’ve helped guide your mother or a child to make a good decision and avoid a bad one.
- Think of five things that make you proud of yourself as a mom or as a son or daughter—for instance, your courage, your loyalty, or your ability to handle crises.
- Think of five times you’ve “been there” when your mother or your child needed you.
This exercise will open your eyes to how much positive energy you’ve brought to your relationship with your child or your mother. You’ll dwell less on mistakes you’ve made, and give yourself more credit for the good you’ve done. You’ll realize that while you’re imperfect, you’re beautifully imperfect. And you’ll give yourself the best Mother’s Day gift of all: the gift of loving yourself!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Keep Thinking Big & Living Bold!
