Time with my mom

I just came back from a fabulous week in Italy with my mom (our second one like this!), and as always so loved being able to spend time with her just the two of us. I realized a couple of things while I was with her, which was that I am often harder on her than I am on others when it comes to pushing herself to realize her full potential and self. She has so many dreams left to realize and fulfill, and I notice as time goes on her level of excitement at times diminishes. I don't want her to fall into a pattern of settling within her comfort zone without giving herself the chance to surrender 100% to the possibilities that life still has - at any age! But I also realized that no matter my motivation and persistance, it is her journey to follow and discover, and I must find acceptance, compassion and patience with her and her pace. It was such a beautiful realization because it allowed us both a chance to appreciate each other more (and I didn't think that was even possible!), and play together more.

The second realization was just that - my mom looking at me on the plane saying, "I don't see other mothers and daughters being as playful as we are", and I said "what a shame!". May we always remember to playful with ourselves and each other...

I'm going to be leading an empowerment workshop for four Latinas and their mothers next month and I hope to remember these lessons and share them with these dynamic women. It came just in time for me!