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Archive for August, 2010

“The only true measure of success is the amountof joy we are feeling.”

Abraham-Hicks

“By letting it go, it all gets done.”

Lao Tzu

My Sister and nephews are visiting us from Santa Fe.  I love them so much and it’s amazing and wonderful to have them here, and also a path of learning for Super-mom.

I didn’t think it was possible for anyone (let alone a guest in your house) to do 7 loads of laundry a day.
How is that POSSIBLE?

LOL.
I have no idea what she’s finding to wash, but Girl, that washer has been going nonstop.

“There’s a lot of inertia going on around here,” quipped Philippe as I said for the umpteenth time “OK, guys, ready to go swimming at the lake?”
This Super-mom likes to MOVE.  I’m all about being centered, in the moment, and yogic, but I’m also about massive action and FUN.

Five kids–two who’re 4 months of age?  No worries—I find a way.
My sister didn’t get the “massive action gene.”  ;)

I’m way more “vata” and she’s more “kapha.” (Check out what these terms mean in Ayurvedic medicine.  Good stuff.  Google it, Super-people.)

So, when my big sister and I are together, it’s pretty funny to witness the flow–or lack thereof.
How could two people so different be related?

Her four food groups are:  doughnuts, chocolate chip cookies, white bread, and butter.

She can’t stand exercise of any kind.  Has never liked it.
I started ice-skating five hours a day when I was five years old.

Yet despite all of our differences, I adore her and love every moment we’re together.
My intention with Super-mom.com is to inspire this kind of love, adoration, and support of all Super-people—no matter whether they’re like you or not.  In fact, the world is that much more interesting and fun because we’re all so different.

So during my Sister’s visit, it has become clear to me that my lesson with her and her family is to totally let go, surrender, and paddle downstream.
Attempting to “do anything” or have any “expectations” about our days or “plans” is like “herding cats.”

I had wanted to go to our Prana Power Yoga Cambridge and Prana Power Yoga Winchester Studios to merchandise the PRANA raw vegan foods that we’re now selling; however, after 3 days of striking out in an attempt to make it there, I had clarity.

What became clear is that my path during their visit is to expect very little in the way of doing stuff/going places/etc. (We still haven’t left the house as a group at 3:06pm….I woke up at 5am, nursed, swam a mile in crystal lake, and took the 715am at Prana Newton before anyone woke up, and at this point, it’s pretty clear we ain’t goin’ anywhere today—LOL.)

So I’m surrendered to the process now.  ;)

And once I chose to surrender, and let my PRANA staff know that I’d be out of commission for a bit and why, I got this amazing and poignant email from a dear friend and PRANA teacher, which I read 3x and am now sharing with you:

“I’m glad for you Taylor.  I think the random time you spend with people is the most memorable.  It makes me think of years ago living in Allston in a big house with lots of people. People would move in and out with little fanfare and we never really knew who was actually living there. Anyway, mornings when I woke up and would sit out on our back porch with my friends were the best.  Morning would come and go and we’d be chatting, calling in sick to work and enjoying ourselves.  Now when we manage to get together it always revolves around doing something. We always end up at a loud bar or concert or something.  It makes me miss the time when my friends were just around all the time, and the mornings that turned into all day hang out sessions are what I remember best.  You can’t plan them. They just… happen.”  : )

And I really can’t say it any better than that.
Namaste!

“Maybe part of loving is learning to let go.”

The Wonder Years
“There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.”

“Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go.”
Oprah Winfrey
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.”

Joseph Campbell

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
Lao Tzu

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
Chinese Proverb

“Knowledge is learning something every day.

Wisdom is letting go of something every day.”

Zen Proverb

Check Out Taylor's Blog at The Boston Herald
Super-Mom of the Month
mom of month

Super-mom Susan Tordella:

 

Every mom is a super mom because being a mom requires learning how to put other people’s needs ahead of our own, and management skills – of our emotions, of other people, and of a home.

My four kids were born in seven years by the time I was 29 years old. This was a blessing and a challenge. After having three children in three and a half years, I realized two things: to surrender to their needs because we were outnumbered; and to get help through parenting groups.

My children have given me so many gifts that I feel privileged to be their mother. Even though raising our kids required a lot of work, time and money, the rewards are worth it.

The most valuable gift they gave me was to learn patience, to slow down and wait for them to learn. They were so patient with me while I learned parenting skills – how to set reasonable boundaries with them and be kind, firm and consistent. The journey was never smooth or straight. How boring would that be!?

Even though sometimes motherhood was overwhelming, I cherish the days I spent doing things together as a family – cooking, eating and cleaning up together; going places – as simple as taking walks or going to the pool; doing crafts and chores – yes, even chores; reading and playing together on a regular day; supporting each other; laughing and telling stories.

I did my best to love and support my children through every stage. I strived to be the best mother possible, which meant forgiving myself and them for being human. My goal was that they grow up strong and independent, able to love and be loved, to make good decisions, and to want to have a relationship with me. After age 18, it’s optional to have a relationship with parents.

Mine have chosen to have relationships with me now that they’re ages 23 to 30. They are still the most important thing in my life. They have given me a focus – to raise them, to learn positive parenting skills, and to share what I learned with other parents.

While my kids were growing up, I attended parenting support groups and then led them – following the saying, “You teach what you most need to know.” In 2010 I wrote a book on how chores teach the priceless gift of self-discipline. Learning to manage my children and sustain a positive relationship with them required me to learn the skills of a CEO – with a kind heart, a generous wallet and coaching them to believe, “You can do it.”

We taught each other, “You can do it.” Now I teach parents “You can do it.” Raising them has been the most instructive, challenging, rewarding, and fun task of my life, with the longest lasting consequences. We do give our kids roots and wings. It requires careful tending of the soil, with water, sun, and community, followed by the perilous journey of learning to fly. What an adventure.

 

 

 

 

Susan Tordella

Egg-ducator

K-12 Bullying awareness & prevention

www.fowlbehavior.net