Motherhood Matters Motherhood is a divine calling---but it may not always feel that way. Now you can show the women in your life how much they matter to you, with this delightful and heartwarming volume of wit and wisdom about the divinity, reality, and rewards of motherhood. Fresher than flowers and sweeter than chocolate, it's a perfect gift for the women who give so much. In these hectic days where life's demands can quickly become a heavy burden, Motherhood Matters helps you find more memorable moments and take the stress out of the to-do lists. Written with clarity, concision, and wit, this short, yet indispensable handbook is better than flowers, more guilt-free than chocolate, and gives back to the woman who sacrifices so much of herself every single day.
Joy in Motherhood
It’s all around us, present each day, and yet too many of us can’t see or feel it—the tangible joy in motherhood.
We stand with our fixed faces and hands on hips and point and shoot interrogations—“Did you clean your bathroom? Did you do your homework? Did you take care of your chores?” Somewhere between barks we can lose that lovin’ feeling.
I was strongly reminded of the need for joyful awareness at my youngest daughter’s dance class. A host of six-year-olds, giddy with newfound freedom, leapt and turned and laughed and ran all over the dance studio. The room felt fairly alive with their complete joy of movement. I turned to one of the mothers next to me and said, “We need this as moms.”
The very next morning I attended my Zumba exercise class, where women do enjoy the fun but let’s face it, are motivated by the calorie-burning benefits. This time our instructor had us do a particular Latin dance where we gathered in a circle and started in slow movements, then got faster and faster until we were moving lightning fast in the circle.
Laughing and throwing our arms in and out with energetic abandon, we then held hands and gathered in the center, to which I hollered, “Whoo pa!” Our shift in attitude and energy was incredible!
That’s the gems of everyday joy we can find and feel: make a special cake for when the kids come home, just because. Forgo ego—and calorie-burn—and allow our children to beat us in a wii bowling tournament (which, frankly, is not that hard). Read with one child, cuddling on her bed for special time together. Enjoy the unexpected joke, the stunning sunset, the newly-discovered giant moth on the front porch.
These are the moments not to be missed, but to be tasted and savored, felt and remembered.
Author Connie Sokol Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly contributor on KSL TV “Studio 5,” and regular blogger for KSL "Motherhood Matters." She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated romance Caribbean Crossroads, the 8-week Challenge program of Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats.
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