Mothers! Everybody has one. That’s why in May, Australians celebrate Mother’s Day. It’s a time when children of all ages remember their Mum’s nurturing and caring of them by visiting her, or giving a gift or flowers. On this special day there’s a good reason to celebrate mothering, and it’s good for your health.
Mothering qualities needed
In a world where violence seems widespread and a lack of humanity is often evident, who doesn’t need the calmness of mothering qualities to be expressed in their family or community? Society needs individuals who speak gently, who are tender yet strong, and kind as well as considerate. Harsh words or actions inevitably engender bitterness. They never produce happiness, nor remove fear or sorrow.
TIPS:
– Don’t let frustration or resentment threaten the qualities of heartfelt-mothering.
– Take charge of what you say to others. “Speak gently, it is better far to rule by love than fear; Speak gently, let no harsh word mar the good we may do here.” – David Bates.
– Soften hard thinking and words. “Mother” others through words of comfort and encouragement.
– Be guided by my mother’s favourite rule from Walt Disney’s film – Bambi. “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all”.
Give the gift of mother-love
When living far away from home for the first time, I became deeply homesick for my mother’s love and company. One sunny afternoon while walking along a beach, it dawned on me that I wasn’t separated from a sense of mother-love. Right there and then, I was cared for and loved. That moment of inspiration freed me of loneliness and homesickness. In the following months various women took me under their wings and “mothered” me.
TIPS:
– Be ready to “mother” someone who is cut off from affectionate family caring.
– Give to others the gift of true mother-love that never neglects the health or well-being of a loved son or daughter.
– Enact the beautiful imagery of the mother eagle who stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bears them on her wings. – The Bible.
– Remember that everyone is cared for by a higher Mother-Love that dries tears, comforts us in times of trouble, restores lost hope and confidence and is constantly present to help and cheer us.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Your article has given me a fresh perspective on the annual celebration of Mother’s Day. Thank you for that! I like the empowering idea of celebrating ‘mothering’ whenever there’s an opportunity to help others. “Be ready to ‘mother’ someone who is cut off from affectionate family caring.” Now, that’s a really helpful tip for ‘mothering’.
How very important it is for ‘mothering’ to be embraced, applied, and nurtured in daily life.
I also liked the comforting message: “Remember that everyone is cared for by a higher Mother-Love that dries tears, comforts us in times of trouble, restores lost hope and confidence and is constantly present to help and cheer us.”
That’s really well worth remembering and putting into regular practice. Thanks again!
Thank you Colin for your comments. I am delighted that you enjoyed my ideas on mothering. What a difference it would make if more of us were able to “mother” others in our community by showing them kindness and caring. That would make “Mother’s Day” worth celebrating!
Dear Beverly. Such a pretty blog for Mothers Day. My mother taught me that saying that your mother did although I didn’t know it was from Bambi! Another one she often reminded me of was “a still tongue is a wise head”. How true. Mother’s Day now has become very commercialized and as my son is on rostered to work I don’t get to see him. At first I was a bit put out by this but now I realise that you don’t need just once day to say I love you Mum. I hear it often. I also know that my loving FatherMother God is always with me caring for me.
With love. Yvonne
Thank you Yvonne for your comments. Sounds like a lot of mothers passed on that saying from Bambi. Good advice though – as is your mother’s suggestion to watch what we say. How lovely to hear “I love you Mum” throughout the year. You are very blessed. Here’s my love back to you.
Dearest Beverly- such a wise idea to offer the warmth of ‘mothering’ to people away from their families. Reading your thoughts, I am delighted to recognise that I am doing that for a new friend at present- by helping out when she is feeling the distance from family.
I have always recognised how blessed I was to have an all but perfect mother, & now, to have appreciation from my son and family.
So many people I know have, sadly, been far less fortunate, but they can, as you say, see that our Mother Father God is with them always, and see that they are receiving ‘mothering’ in kindnesses from others.
Thank you Susan for your comments. I am pleased to know that you are “mothering” a friend. Well done. Yes you are blessed to have had a loving mother and to have the love of your son and family. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to look for ways to ‘mother’ others through love and caring, then and all year round.
I love what you say about mothering Beverly. As I am not a mother, I will remember your words “be ready to mother someone who is cut off from affectionate family caring”.
Thank you Marion for your comment. I am delighted that you will embrace the idea of “mothering” someone in need of affectionate family caring. This really meant a lot to me one time when I was living far from my home and mother. At different times several women took me under their wings and gave me that sense of mother-love that I was missing. Now I can do this for others.