We all have special little nuggets of mom-wisdom that our own moms shared with us.  Some bring us warm smiles as we lovingly pass them along to our own children, while others are accompanied with the unexpectedly surprising realization, “OMG, I’ve become my mother!”

While I was perusing a huge stack of Holiday catalogs with my own mom over the Thanksgiving weekend, we both got a chuckle as I read from the list below, as it appeared on a plaque in a catalog called What On Earth.  I’m guessing you will recognize a few of the tidbits (or some variations thereof) of mom-genius it provides!

Things Our Mothers Taught Us

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside.  I just finished cleaning.”

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.“Because I said so, that’s why.”

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

7. My mother taught me IRONY.“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

12. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.“Just wait till we get home.”

13. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.“You are going to get it when you get home!”

14. My mother taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE.“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to stick that way.”

15. My mother taught me about ESP.“Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

16. My mother taught me HUMOR.“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

17. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

18. My mother taught me GENETICS.“You’re just like your father.”

19. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.“Shut that door behind you.  Do you think you were born in a barn?”

20. My mother taught me WISDOM.“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

21. And my favorite: my mother taught me about JUSTICE.“One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!”

Yesterday, my older daughter Gracelyn’s school celebrated “Crazy Hat Day”.  She picked out a little selection of chapeaus (Thank you, Cat in the Hat!) from the dress-up cabinet, including: a floppy, furry purple fedora, a leopard print visor, and a pink bunny ear headband, which may not technically be hat, but we’re pushing the envelope here – walking on the wild side of CRAZY, huh?

Speaking of the wild side, I realize, in rereading this last sentence that the above-mentioned head décor may sound like an assortment of accessories from a closet at the Playboy mansion, but I assure you that it is all of the G-Rated glamour-girly-girl variety, not the Pimp-Daddy-O Collection!

Any one of those hats she selected would have been great, but she decided to pile on the fun by stacking all three together on her head. “H-m-m,” I thought as she rounded the corner into the kitchen. I guess she thought that if one is fun, then a triple-decker is ultra-fabulous, so I just smiled and said, “Wow!” I was able to make my happy exclamation without even a hint of sarcasm, allowing me my own “Seriously, Sweetie?” secret thought while honoring her excitement over her own creative expression. Pretty on my mom-game for 6:20 AM, if I do say so myself! ; )

Honestly though, that’s what I love about days like Crazy Hat Day – it’s a harmless way to add a little excitement to the day that provides an opportunity to creatively express yourself.

As it turned out, she decided to go with a last-minute contender – a bright orange witch’s hat with purple pumpkins on it. A few minutes later, my 6 year-old daughter, Sheldyn, entered the kitchen with the discarded furry purple fedora and asked if she could wear that hat to school, promising that she would only wear it on the bus and then put it in her backpack when she arrived at her school, since it wasn’t Crazy Hat Day there. I said yes, and she literally skipped off, brimming with joy from under the brim of her crazy hat.

As we were heading out the front door to catch the bus, Big Sis asked if it was Crazy Hat Day at Lil’ Sis’s school, and I replied, “No.” Then she asked, with a look of pre-teen OMG fashion-shock on her face, “Is she wearing that on the bus to school?” (as if she hadn’t remotely considered choosing that same hat for herself just a little while earlier) to which I replied, “Why yes, yes she is, aren’t you Honey?” Lil’ Sis shook her head yes and just kept on beaming up the driveway, onto the bus, and as the bus pulled away!

Fast-forward to this morning, as we headed out the front door to the bus… Gracelyn packed some crazy socks in her bag, unsure if it was Crazy Sock Day today, and Lil’ Sis was gleefully donning her bright purple fedora for the bus ride again. Big Sis just looked at her, grinned a little, and raised her eyebrows. Obviously, she has not yet mastered the “Seriously, Sweetie?” secret thought/smile combo like her dear old Mom.

When we got to the end of the drive, a classmate of Gracelyn’s was waiting for us, and Gracelyn asked her if it was Crazy Sock Day. Her friend replied that it was not, as they climbed on the bus, and I caught a glimpse of always happy-go-lucky Lil’Sis’s light blue sox, which clashed slightly with her bright red shirt and had a sparkly princess crown-wearing kitty peaking out between her Converse and her capris.

While I waved at the bus and thought about Gracelyn’s Crazy Sock Day inquiry, my heart and face smiled together as I celebrated Lil Sis’s daily expressive sock choices and I said, “Yes, yes it is!”

Ever-AMAZING what they can teach us without even trying!

With that thought in mind, I am sharing an encore post from almost exactly a year ago – sometimes when you let yourself step back and outside of the chaos of the moment (i.e., the inevitable craziness that ensues while tying up all the loose ends in preparation for a family trip!), you can’t help but laugh!

The Ideal Client

In coaching, there is a saying that coaches are often their own best clients. Well, this morning, I was a living, breathing, poster-child for a mom who needed to restore balance and make herself a priority in her own life.

I got up bright and early to take the puppy outside and smiled at the thought of all the time I had available to savor the quiet house before the kids got up and I got ready for a morning meeting nearby.

That vision of peaceful morning bliss lasted for about 30 seconds before the kids were up, the waffles were in the toaster oven, and I was somehow left with less than 30 minutes to shower and get out the door. At least the babysitter who I hired for Wednesday’s so I can have one focused workday per week during the summer was on her way… or so I thought, until I exited the shower to tears from my daughters over how the sitter had just called-in sick and now their plans for the day were ruined. Their plans?!!

No time for thinking about what wouldn’t get accomplished now in my day – I had 5 minutes to flat iron my hair and drive to my meeting before it started without me. Of course, I was only 2 minutes into my 4 minute drive before my cell phone rang and my older daughter was still lamenting about how she would now have nothing to do all day. (Considering the upstairs hall closet brimming with games and crafts, the over-stuffed playroom, the puppy waiting to be played with, and a little sister by her side, I didn’t quite understand the despair and desperateness in her voice!) Meanwhile, in my rush out the door, I had forgotten earrings and the only thing close to lipstick I had in the car was a nasty smelling tutti-fruiti princess lip gloss my 5 year old had left there over a month ago!

At that point, as I walked away from my crookedly-parked-too-quickly minivan and into my meeting, I just had to laugh, as I knew just how I would introduce myself today – as my own best client! Hey, I’ve made a lot of progress, but self-growth and self-care is an on-going process… “At least I’m enjoying the ride!”

May today there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

– Author Unknown

(Thank you to my friend Jackie Vick of Creating Healthy Kids for sharing!)

How often do you hear that little voice in your head say, “Now that’s inspiring!” or “What an inspiration she/he/that is!”

When you are inspired by something or someone, there is an opportunity there. Inspiration is our Inner-Self telling us that something we are seeing, hearing, or feeling is resonating with us – our values, priorities, goals, our connection to others and to something bigger than us. That’s your ME talking!

Are you listening? What is the opportunity you have, right then and there, to take inspired action (now a.k.a. inspiraction!)? How does this inspiration affect your next thoughts and choices in your day? How would your life be different today if you embraced that inspiration by taking inspiraction on the opportunities it is presenting to you in that moment?

And if you are having trouble hearing your ME during those inspired moments or find yourself resisting taking inspired action, pause for a moment and ask yourself why. Your inspirations are like your tickets to get on the ride you’ve been waiting in line for at the amusement park – it’s your turn, so what’s stopping you from getting on, enjoying the ride, and seeing where it takes you?

If you’re tired of just observing how inspiring something is and are ready, instead, to actively participate in that inspiration moving you forward in the direction that your ME is encouraging you to go, I am here to support you!  You can call or e-mail me (http://www.momevolve.com/contactlynn) today!

Feeling inspired is one thing – doing something with that inspiration is really Something Else!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
Inspiring Moms to Evolve TM
www.momevolve.com

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

‘Tis the season to decrease & delegate!

If you start feeling the onset of holiday overwhelm – stop, take a step back, and try to see if there is anything you can do to decrease your To-Do’s. Is there anything that isn’t a top priority on your Holiday “Joy-ometer” that you can let go of to free up some time and space in your calendar? Or is there anything on your agenda that can be shared or delegated to a family member, friend, or even outsourced to a service provider. Can you give yourself the gift of an errand service to pick-up the dry cleaning, drop off some packages, and deliver the holiday cookies to the teacher luncheon? Many errand/concierge services have very reasonable hourly rates and could assist with an hour’s-worth of bundled errand-tasks for less than what it costs for a few non-fat, no-whip mochas! Regardless of how you choose to do so, take a look at that incredibly long holiday To-Do list and see what you can manage to cross off or seek support with. The holidays are a season of sharing – so share some of your To-Do’s and make room for some festive fun! ENJOY!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Take Joy in Creating Your Own Holiday Experience

One of the biggest reasons many people find the holidays stressful is because, with all of the extra running around, the holiday crowds, and trying to fit so much in, things can feel pretty out of control. So take the time to remind yourself daily that, although you may not get to choose every person you’ll encounter or exactly which inconveniences may throw you off track, you do get to choose your reaction to every external circumstance. You don’t have to fall victim to other people’s bah-humbug attitudes. I read a friend’s Facebook post last week that said she was going to follow her son’s festive disposition and be sure to smile at every holiday shopper she comes across this year. She made a conscious decision on how she is going to show up in the world this holiday season. Just as we each have a choice in how we create our daily experiences, we have a choice how we create our holiday experience. Be empowered, choose a positive perspective, and shine brightly during these gone-before-you-know-it magical holidays!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Be Grateful.

When you find yourself about to mentally curse out someone who cut ahead of you in the check-out line… or complaining about yet another holiday errand… or are secretly feeling a little resentful that you’re in the kitchen baking your Christmas yams for a houseful of out-of-town family that is about to descend, while your best girlfriend gets to show up at her mother-in-law’s with merely a spinach dip… Stop, take a deep breath, and be grateful. Be grateful you have the money to pay for your items in that check-out line, and thankful that you have a car to run your errands, and appreciative of that family who is making the trek to spend a holiday in the home that you are so blessed to have, with the food that so many others are without.

It is easy, where we’re under stress, to start thinking negatively and settling into a victim-level energy. So, make the conscious choice to focus on being grateful if you feel yourself starting to slip down that slippery slope of self-pity. With this shift to a more positive perspective of gratitude, you’ll enjoy the holidays so much more, and your warmth will be contagious!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

This Season of Joy, find Joy in the little things.

The beauty of Christmas tree lights in a quiet house when you are the last one up…The teddy bear snugliness (O.K., so I made up a word – it captures the feeling though, doesn’t it?) of a hug from children cuddled up in their fluffy winter footy pajamas at bedtime…The look of magical holiday wonder and dreams in your children’s eyes as they watch out the window for Santa… Take time to experience joy in the moment each day this holiday season – it only takes just that, a moment, but the benefits are huge! It’s the stuff that some of the most precious holiday memories are made of!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Make having a healthy holiday simple.

Practice one healthy habit each day – even the tiniest one – so you can stay energized and bright. Let’s face it, for most of us, there is going to be a missed exercise class at the gym, an extra glass of holiday cheer, and/or indulging in one too many of Aunt Margie’s famous sausage puffs. Rather than beating ourselves up and having visions of too-tight jeans dancing through our heads each night, let’s go a little easy on ourselves. It is the Season of Joy, after all! So, think of one thing you can do each day to feel like you honored your health. Maybe it is parking at a further away than front-row parking space, or choosing a salad for lunch on a day you know you’ll be enjoying a holiday buffet for dinner, or rounding up the kids to take a check-out-the-lawn-decorations afternoon bike ride through your neighborhood, or drinking 3 extra glasses of water throughout your day – little healthful opportunities surround us during the holidays! Choose one or two a day, make them simple and fun, and rest your head easily at night, knowing that you gave yourself a little gift of health during your day!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com