Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms around the world. And especially my mom, Charlene and my wife, Jill. As I thought about Mother's Day, I couldn't help but think about how much motherhood mirrors success. Here are 8 Lessons for life from moms:
1. Kids don't come without pain: The thought of having a child is so intriguing and fun. Thinking about naming your child, playing with your kids, and watching them grow up is fun and exciting. But actually having a child is painful and scary. The morning sickness, the "uncomfortableness", the labor pains and of course the actual birth. All of these remind me that most good things come after the pain of doing what it takes to have the good thing.
2. Being a mom requires a huge commitment: Being a parent is a huge life long commitment. Being a mother is a more intense commitment. Yet, it's a pleasure to commit to your children and go through all of the trials, the growing and the achievements of life. There is no guarantee of success even though that is what you desperately want for your children. This commitment mirrors all parts of life and you have to commit without guarantee of success.
3. Being a mom is not convenient: Every mom knows that the whole process of parenting is inconvenient. Late nights, all nights, no sleep, unplanned doctor appointments, school events, sports events, need I go on? You don't become a parent for the convenience like you buy a microwave oven. And you don't strive to success for the convenience...
4. Moms work overtime everyday: When you are a mom, you don't get luxury of time off. You are always on duty or on watch. But again, you don't become a parent so you can work less days. In fact, you end up wanting days off work to spend time with your children...(which is work in and of itself). Being willing to work and do whatever it takes is part of all success.
5. Moms are selfless: Young kids are takers not givers. They receive better than they serve. Now I realize that they love you back and light up when they see you, but they are also very self centered. Mom's can't be selfish. They are always giving, serving and putting their own interests in second place and even third, fourth and fifth place. When I meet people who have fear of rejection, it's usually due to selfishness not selflessness. Moms remind me to be selfless.
6. Moms know that their children are fragile: Young kids are fragile, needy and helpless. They have to be taken care of, looked after, and nurtured. When you're a mom you have to be able to identify problems and potential problems as well as solve problems. This is a 24/7 job because the mom is responsible for her child's well fair. People's dreams are just as fragile so the dreams have to be cared for and nurtured. It's a 24/7 job to keep your dream safe.
7. Kids trust their mom: All children are born with two fears. Loud noises and falling. All other fears are learned through experience. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children what to fear and what not to fear. Moms carry most of this responsibility because their children trust them completely. That trust is built over time and is very strong. And if you can't trust your mom who can you trust? To be successful, you need to be trustworthy.
8. The work of a mom is worth it: Even though having children is painful, requires commitment, and is not convenient, it's worth it. Even though parenting requires working over-time, sacrificing your own interests and hours spent building trust, it's worth it. And even though knowing your child is fragile, helpless and there is no guarantee of success, parenting is still desired and pursued by any means by most. To be successful you have to do all of things that mothers naturally do, including the painful stuff.
Happy Mother's Day mom and Jill. And thank you for the lessons on success. @ copyright 2010 Mark Carlisle
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