Dear Mamas,

The sun is rising, and what a magnificent sight it is. The sun will set today as well, and the cycle will continue tomorrow. It is within these hours of daylight, and so often into the darkness, that we mothers struggle. We willing take part in the competition of motherhood, often without the knowledge of joining the invisible team. There is a uniform of yoga pants and mom buns for the ‘B-Team’ and ballet flats, jeans, and make-up for the All-Stars. And the yearning to make it to the All-Star squad tends to run deep.

We play the role of maid, chef, chauffeur, nurse, therapist, personal assistant, event planner, baby-wearer, all-night buffet, financial planner, and motivational coach. Typically, we are not paid. What we are is masters of prioritization. Somehow, we balance it all without having a breakdown when a toddler decides he is no longer potty trained in aisle 8 at Target. we hold ourselves together, but at what cost? Are we spending our energy on the wrong things?

We often over-buy, over-protect, and over-schedule our lives, but are we under-experiencing? Yes, we are.

Most of us are anyway. While we are busy ‘doing,’ our babies are busy living. We are present, but we are busy.

IT IS OKAY TO SLOW DOWN.

Letting go of the thoughts that have spent years being your internal voice, telling you to do more, go faster, accomplish it all, and be the best mom ever – will be the most life-changing process. Being free, slowing down, not accomplishing it all – not even a fraction of it all, could be a secret of happiness in motherhood.

The yoga pants and mom buns can still be worn but without the jealousy of those who made the All-Star team. Because, mamas, when you slow down and live life with your children, you learn that they are your teammates. This family that you helped create is worth slowing down for. You may still see the sunrise, the sunset, and several hours of the darkness, as you are a mother and this is what mothers do - but, mamas, you can live in these moments. You can notice the changing colors of the sky; you can inhale the changing of the seasons; you can let go of the struggle and truly experience this stage of life.

From One Mother to Another,

Breathe and Slow Down.

It's worth it.