Collective Compassion for MOMS

"Be a Mother to the world"...including other moms.  

Not only is Mother's Day a special day to receive cute handmade cards from your kids and be served breakfast in bed, but it can also be a day to reflect on what you have learned as a mother.  My kids are now 9 and 6, and in my short time period of holding the tile of "mom," I can say that I have learned A LOT.  Besides witnessing the beauty of little human lives unfold, and the gigantic expansion of my heart, motherhood has grown my compassion. I remember having an immediate understanding of my mom's love for me when I had my daughter Vivian.  Even though I had just met my new baby girl, my love for her was like nothing I have ever known...INFINITE.  And then when my son Reed was born...BOOM...another explosion of my heart.  This mother-love was wild and fierce, but so precious and soft at the same time.  As a newbie mom, I started to see other mothers with a new set of eyes.  Motherhood allowed me to see with my heart, and continues to show me a more compassionate way of looking at the world.  Being a mama connects me to other mamas, and reminds me that I'm not alone on this messy, beautiful, exhausting and joyful journey of motherhood.  

Sadhguru, the well known Indian spiritual teacher says "be a mother to the world."  What this means is to see everyone as your child; someone that needs your love and nourishment.  This idea goes beyond children, and includes beings of all ages.  This even includes other moms.  Because the duties of motherhood are so demanding and draining, mother's need support to balance the support they give.  

The older I get, and the more mothering experience I gain, my judgements of other mothers has softened.  Compassion has taught me to not make assumptions and be more understanding.  Being a mother myself has helped me see that we are all truly trying out best.  The distracted mom on her phone, while her kids are on the playground, may be buying her kid soccer cleats on Amazon, or communicating with a teacher about a problem at school.  A mama that thunderously yells at the grocery store for her kids to behave, may have received some bad news that day, and there is sadness under her anger.  A mother who has a spirited, wild and rowdy children, may be up spending sleepless nights reading up on ADHD.  A mom that picks up dinner through a drive-threw window may be so burnt out, that it's the very best that she can do.  A mother who seem to not have a watchful eye on her child, may be experimenting with giving them freedom and space to explore on their own.  A mom who doesn't seem like a loving mother, might not have HAD a loving mother.  Our judgements divide us, but our compassion can connect us.      

Metta (or Lovingkindness) is a simple, yet profound blessing and mediation to grow compassion and send love to all.  It's inclusive, warm and tender, and is a softening of the mind and heart.  There are lots of different ways to practice Metta, and most of them include the repetition of specific phrases, such as: may you be safe, may you be peaceful, may you be happy, may you live and breathe with ease.  You can experiment with making up your own phrases, and include blessings that seem appropriate. The sending of well wishes builds compassion, and extends to ALL.  This meditation can be a purposeful prayer, and a way to develop a greater sense of connection.  Try working with opposites!  After naming each of these opposites, repeat the phrases:  May you be safe, may you be peaceful, may you be happy, may you live and breathe with ease...or whatever phrases you like.   



To all of the mothers who you know...to the mothers who you don't know.  

To the mothers who look like you...to the mothers who don't look like you.

To the young mothers…to the older mothers.

To the mothers who had a natural birth…to the mothers who had a medicated birth.

To the mothers who choose to stay at home....to the mothers who are devoted to their career.  

To the mothers who share DNA with their kids…to the mothers who don't share DNA with their kids.

To the mothers who can feed their kids 3 times a day...to the mothers who don't know when their family's next meal will be.  

To the mothers who hug...to the mothers who don't know how to hug.  

 To the mothers who have a strong village and support system...to the mothers who feel alone and disconnected.  

To the mothers who have tantrum throwing toddlers…to the mothers who have hormone raging teenagers.

To the mothers who wanted to be a mother…to the mothers who didn’t plan on being a mother.

To the mothers who volunteer at their kids schools...to the mothers who simply cannot put another thing on their plate.  

To the mothers who pushed their babies out…to the mothers who had their babies lifted out.

To the mothers who prioritize self care...to the mothers who seek better balance.  

To the mothers who had a beautiful birth…to the mothers who had a traumatic birth.

To the mothers who have healthy, thriving children...to the mothers who have sick, dying children.  

To the mothers who take their kids on amazing summer vacations...to the mothers who can't afford a fancy trip.

To the mothers who talk about feelings...to the mothers who don't know how to deal with their own feelings.  

To the fun mothers...to the serious mothers.  

To the mothers who are neat and tidy…to the mothers who feel like a disorganized mess.

To the helicopter mothers…to the free-range mothers.

To the mothers who are loved by their kids...to the mothers who are hated by their kids.   

To the mothers who gave their child a sibling…to the mothers who are “one and done.”

To the mothers who feel confident and empowered...to the mothers who struggle to love themselves.  

To the mothers who have a loving partner...to the mothers who are on their own.  

To the mothers who felt their baby’s kicks…to the mothers who will never hold their baby in their arms.

To the mothers who play...to the mothers who don't have the energy to play.  

To the mothers who are just starting their families…to the mothers who are grandmothers and great grandmothers.

To the introverted mothers…to the extroverted mothers.  

To the mothers who have given birth...to the mothers who adopt.  

To the mothers who have a rich spiritual life...to the mothers who feel spiritually lost.    

To the mothers who are hopeful...to the mothers who are hopeless.  

To the mothers who feel free...to the mothers who feel stuck.

To the mothers who watched their child grow…to the mothers that grieve their child’s death.

To the mothers who vote...to the mothers who don't have the right to vote.  

To the open-hearted mothers who love...to the guareded mothers who are afraid to love.

To the mothers who have children...to the mothers who don't have children YET.  

To ALL mothers everywhere....

May all mothers everywhere be safe.
May all mothers everywhere peaceful.
May all mothers everywhere be happy.
May all mothers everywhere live and breathe will ease.  
May all mothers everywhere grow compassion in their hearts.  
May all mothers everywhere feel connected and loved.  

Be sure to include yourself in your Lovingkindness!  Compassion for others becomes stronger, when we have compassion for ourselves first.   

Happy Mother's Day to ALL MAMAS!  A special shout out to my mom, who is a walking, talking example of someone who's loves unconditionally and lives a joyful life.  And to my kiddos, Vivian and Reed - you drive me nuts, but make my life feel complete.  I love you both more than words can describe.  I hope I can teach you as much as you teach me.      



Be well,

Shannon