You have a superpower.
And every day you get a chance to use it.
It's the power to change the world.
By choosing play over pressure.
Peace over violence.
Kindness over power.
Compassion over neglect.
Forgiveness over blame.
Every. Single. Day.
As a parent you possess the power to change the world.
One day at a time,
one child at a time,
one interaction at a time.
And the world transforms.
But that does not mean you will be perfect.
You will falter.
You will yell.
You will curse.
You will break.
You will forget just for a moment how amazingly powerful you are and you will return to shame, anger, manipulation, and control.
It happens.
To all of us.
In our own way we each create own reasons for regret.
And then?
And then you have the chance to choose forgiveness again. This time for you.
Compassion. Understanding.
Second chances.
Unconditional love.
No one is perfect.
Not your partner, not your child, not your mother. And not you.
We're all stumbling along, learning as we go.
Doing our best.
We are all flawed.
It's part of the plan. It gives us good work to do with our time here on earth.
Allow yourself your imperfections.
Allow them to your child as well.
And yes, allow them even to that other mother you see on the street who's come undone and is yelling and pulling her little one roughly along.
She needs it most of all.
And then, remember your power.
Your superpower.
To shape the world, for good.
It takes courage to forge a new path.
To reach for peace when you were taught reach for power.
To reach for compassion when last time you faltered.
To reach for understanding even in frustration. Or exhaustion. Or anger.
You have the power to change the world. And also to change yourself.
And the harder that is for you, the more deeply I honor your work.
Onward, mama. Onward.
You carry the world in your arms.
It's your superpower.
Love,
Rachel
This is a repost from 2014.
Nice reminder of what is really important!
Thank you for this. Brought (much needed) tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Thanks
I think I need to make a hard copy for my fridge.
Applicable to any walk of life, but so sweet to see it grounded in your own experience of parenting. I am not a mama, but these words are fresh water washing over my heart. Whispers that this is the life I want to choose: even when it’s hard; even when it’s painful; even when it feels too much; even when I feel ugly for failing to choose what I want, how I want to be–I have the power to start with me. It’s a gift to remember that, each time, it’s not about what was, rather it’s about forgiveness and moving forward. Thank you, Rachel. 🙂
You have no idea how much I needed that. It’s been a rough week with the tween. Thank you!
I needed to read this today of all days.
You have such an uncanny way of saying just what I need to hear, just when I need to hear it. Thank you, you little miracle.