What quotes, inspirations or prayers keep you moving forward on your worst days?

[Anonymous]

"You are a successful mom if your kids can afford to pay for their own therapy when they grow up."

-my sister

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a terrible day yesterday, and I am wondering what tricks other moms use to keep themselves uplifted and positive on very bad days. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

OP-Have you had the opportunity to travel much over the years?

I have done some 3rd world travel (I've only done this type of travel). Whenever I recall some profoundly sad images from travels in Africa, I feel overwhelming gratitude and shame for my momentary lapse in perspective and immediately snap out of my funk and get an overwhelming desire to drop everything and hug my children and never let go.
What I love about travel to 3rd world countries, is that I learn so much about myself in the process and really grow in a spiritual sense.

[Anonymous]

Oh geez. PP, that is not a saying or prayers. Now is a slightly hard time to take off to Africa, what with the ECONOMIC crisis and SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME.

[Anonymous]

Character is what you do when no one is looking.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am the OP and I want to thank everyone who has responded. All the postings are beautiful and inspirational, each in their own way. In response to the PP who suggested a trip to a third world country, I appreciate the sentiment in your response. What I'm really looking for are "quick fixes" to help me stay positive when I am struggling. Thanks again for all the responses, you guys rock.

[Anonymous]

I tell myself tomorrow is a new day and I won't feel the same way when I wake up. Some days, I feel like the worst mother in the world, I look at my husband and think, oh god, what the hell was I thinking, lala. But the next day, I know I'm a good mother and I love my husband dearly. It's called life-and it can suck sometime

[Anonymous]

I count down how much time is left until bedtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh geez. PP, that is not a saying or prayers. Now is a slightly hard time to take off to Africa, what with the ECONOMIC crisis and SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME.

For the record, I'm not suggesting taking off to Africa to be more appreciative. Prior to having children I worked for the World Health Organization and as a result did a lot of 3rd world travel. When I start to get down I meditate on those travels. This is what I do. I was simply asking of the OP had travels to other areas of the world when life is raw and rough.

[Anonymous]

I have a very, very pathological family of origin - my relationship (or lack thereof) with which is the cause of most of my stress and emotional pain.

I find Mary Oliver's poem, the Journey, to be a life-saver at times:


The Journey by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a very, very pathological family of origin - my relationship (or lack thereof) with which is the cause of most of my stress and emotional pain.

I find Mary Oliver's poem, the Journey, to be a life-saver at times:


The Journey by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

All I can say is WOW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh geez. PP, that is not a saying or prayers. Now is a slightly hard time to take off to Africa, what with the ECONOMIC crisis and SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME.

For the record, I'm not suggesting taking off to Africa to be more appreciative. Prior to having children I worked for the World Health Organization and as a result did a lot of 3rd world travel. When I start to get down I meditate on those travels. This is what I do. I was simply asking of the OP had travels to other areas of the world when life is raw and rough.

Again, I really do appreciate the sentiment you express. Trust me, I have witnessed first-hand the suffering that is present here at home and abroad. I am incredibly grateful for everything I have, but sometimes my soul is weary and tired and needs rejuvenation.

[Anonymous]

Yes, thank you PP for posting that poem. It gave me chills. I, too, forged my own life away from a family entrenched in financial issues, alcoholism, depression, low self esteem, etc. Sometimes those demons sneak up on me and I have to remember this new life I have chosen and the new history I can give my children.

I understood what the previous poster was saying about travel to less advantaged societies. While I have not done much of that, I keep a bulletin board in my closet that reminds me of many things including a picture of two girls working at a factory in China who are barely 13. One died as a result of her work there. It reminds me to hold my children tight, teach them good values, and work to make the world a better place for everyone. As well as to not complain about the mounds of laundry, or the grocery shopping I have to do. It's all perspective some days. In a way, I play tricks on myself. For example, if I am dreading chores like grocery shopping, I look around at the abundance we have in our stores, the colors, the ability to buy raspberries in the middle of winter, fresh milk, and whole grains. And I thank God for my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a very, very pathological family of origin - my relationship (or lack thereof) with which is the cause of most of my stress and emotional pain.

I find Mary Oliver's poem, the Journey, to be a life-saver at times:


The Journey by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

OK I am crying. Boy is this exactly what I needed at this, honestly the worst time in my whole life. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

For those posting that this is a really hard time for them right now. Or the worst time of their life. A couple of thoughts:

You will get through this . You will be stronger. You will learn things you never knew about your self.

Faith is an amazing thing. Doesn't have to be in god, but in some power that binds us together as humans and that keeps us wanting to live. For me, this faith sometimes take the form in believing in friendship and being open to receiving help and love from others.

Reach out. People want to help. I have been there and I always want to help others going through a hard time

Find a way to laugh. Watch a funny show, read something funny.

Put on some crazy music and dance. It won't pay the bills or make that awful person better, but it will make it easier to take it all.

Find one treat a day for yourself. A long bath, a talk with a friend, a really good piece of chocolate. A trashy novel from the library. You deserve it. It doesn't have to cost money.

Know that your sisters are here for you. You will get through this and I for one am rooting for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put on some crazy music and dance. It won't pay the bills or make that awful person better, but it will make it easier to take it all.

This kind of reminded me of the episode of Friends where Rachael is embarrassed to go running with Phoebe because Phoebe runs weird.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/31052/friends-the-one-where-phoebe-runs---weird