See? This right here? It's why I just love me some Michelle Obama. First Lady Obama told Prevention magazine in its November issue that she learned "what not to do" as a mother from her own mom, Marian Robinson, who tended much too often to put her own two children first, sometimes to the detriment of herself. Mrs. Obama says her mom warned her not to make the same mistake:
"Throughout my life, I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy," Mrs. Obama told Prevention. "So I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband and my physical health."
"That's hard for women to own. We're not taught to do that," she added. "It's a lesson that I want to teach my girls."
Tell it, Shelley. Because the one simple truth is this: When mama's happy, everybody is happy. I think a new pair of shoes—a cute suede peep-toe bootie—would make mama very happy today. Yes, indeed.
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I had to learn that when I left for college. I went so that I could make mama proud and I was unhappy. I had to put others to the side and focus on myself. Now I am doing something that I am passionate about. I'm living up to Mrs. Obama's words. The First Lady Ain't Nevah Lied...
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this! As I've matured, I've learned that there is so much value in this premise. Though I have my loved ones' backs, I am always first. Sound selfish? I'm OK with that. FLOTUS's "ripple effect" theory is true.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But for real...doing things because they give YOU joy is the best way for a woman to bring a more energized and vital woman to your children and to your partner.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
ReplyDeleteA'se. A'se! Our happiness sure does have a wonderful trickle-down effect on the rest of our clan. Since I've been exercising regularly and sleeping past 9 without guilt, I've "found" more time in the day to chillax w/ my daughters, and dabble in some of my husbands projects, as opposed to being annoyed at my workload and flabby arms! I raise my glass to Mrs. Obama, and I raise my DSW Rewards card to you, D!
ReplyDelete--From one happy mama to another!
So true! I said the other day... a happy Teresha + a healthy Teresha = a happy family. Mommas got to take care of themselves so they can be fit wives, parents, bosses, employees...all that!
ReplyDeleteHappy Shoe Shopping!
I love this post. It's talkin to me.
ReplyDeleteI snuck and married my high school sweetheart while I was still finishing up my BA degree. I was a sophomore, almost a junior. Yeah, I thought I was grown. We planned to start our family later on down the road. You know, when we were "well" established, but you know it didn't go down quite that way. LOL! Baby one came a year later. But I kept trekking across the campus, big bellied and all, to classes so I could finish my degree. Baby two was on the way a couple of years later. No stoppin me! I was going for mines.
After fin.a.lly accomplishing what I had left home to do in the first place, the guilt for missing first steps and many pee-pee-in-the- potty parties due to classes upon classes had begun to set in. So I had vowed to give all of me to my babies after graduation. I didn't leave even an ounce of myself for me. Dreams of a career in magazines was put on hold. Then it started to look like a permanent hold when Honey magazine shut down forever. Broke.my.heart! I thought Honey would be around forever; would wait for me and my ideas until the kids started school. Nope! Then Vibe Vixen broke off our relationship. I'm not going to even go there with Suede. Ugh! I think I must have fallen into a litte depression because all the "it" girl magazines had gone. LOL!
It wasn't until someone very dear to me said, if Mama aint happy, aint nobody happy, that motivated me to change a few things. These words are so true. So I got to writing.
Learning the hard way has been a theme in my life, but I'm glad that I now know that giving more of me to myself would allow me to give so much more to my family and others.
That is so true. We moms must remember to do what makes us happy at times. A Happy Mom makes the world go round.
ReplyDeleteI really love this post. "To thy own self, be true."
ReplyDeleteI have trouble putting myself first (unless it involves shoes or clothes lol). We all need to do better at that.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am guilty of self neglect. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I went in this past week for my first hair appointment in 4 years. Four years! i just always find 101 reasons not to do something for myself, from money to time to good old fashioned mommy guilt. But, that haircut felt (and looks, if I do say so myself) so dang delicious that I've committed myself to going at least 4 times a year. Huge improvement over once in 4 years:)
ReplyDelete