Interested in teaching your kids more about medicinal herbs?   This game will make a perfect gift for the whole family!  The Gallagher Family at learning herbs have once again made an incredible offer for the holidays.

Our family loves the Wildcraft game.

If you ever considered buying this board game for yourself or as the perfect gift,  now is the time… tons of great bonuses too- check it out!

Learn while you play with the Wildcraft board game.

Nearly 50% Off Sale!

Includes New
“Herbs for Children During Cold & Flu Season”
Video Class!

For the first time, learning herbs has created a VERY special bonus

This is a ONE TIME Holiday sale. Check it out! Learn while you play with the Wildcraft board game.

Offer ends midnight on Friday, December 2.

Do you want to make some last minute gifts but don’t know where to begin?

You can make some felted toys for the children and herb baskets for both the adults and children in your family.

The entire family will love herbal baths, if they don’t enjoy baths (hard to believe- but there are a select few that just don’t enjoy baths) the bulk herbs are also great for teas!

Herbal Gifts:

I use herbs that I harvested during fall or buy in bulk at Mountain Rose Herbs to make my tea and herbal bath baskets. Buying herbs in bulk is a lot cheaper than buying ready made teas from the supermarket.

Simply use a recycled basket and arrange the herbs inside (you can scoop herb blends into the muslin bags for your friends or simply add instructions on how to use the herbs). You can add a nice  handwritten note to your basket (example – you are amazing, you deserve to take this time for yourself!)

Don’t forget to add instructions on how to use the herbs. Add other natural items to your basket (or perhaps a bottle of wine for the adults).

Some great herbs for bath are:

• Comfrey Leaf (external use-not internally for teas)
• Lavender Flowers
• Valerian Root
• Spearmint
• Rosemary
• Calendula
• Hibiscus Flowers -the flowers will change the color of the water:)
• Chamomile

…and many others- read more about easy bath herbs on my other blog The Herbalist’s Path! Simply add to an old clean sock or some muslin cloth tied at the top (don’t let the loose herbs spill into the tub or it could clog your drain), connect to the faucet and let the water run over the herbs- enjoy your herbal bath!

Felting:

I like to use all natural felt- you can find some locally or ebay and etsy also have great deals on felt. I really love the book Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle I used this book to learn how to make some really cute felted animals, my first attempt was a turtle, the kids still love playing with it! I like the book because it has great step by step instructions.You will want to use wool roving to needle felt, here is an example.

Click Here For Some More Great How To Earthschooling Craft Videos!

The above picture is one of my first attempts at making hand made squirrel puppets, I would post the turtle, but after daily play it has become quite ragged and needs some needle touch-ups:)

Below is a how to felting video from A Little Garden Flower

Need last minute natural toy gift ideas? I did a quick search around the web and thought I would share these resources with you.  Happy Holidays!

Mothering Magazine: Best Natural Toys of 2010 | Waldorf Education …

These six natural toys from Bella Luna Toys are featured in Mothering magazine’s holiday issue as the Best Natural Toys of 2010.

Publish Date: 11/08/2010 3:0

Money Saving Tips For Making Your Own Waldorf Toys For Creative …

Waldorf toys are playthings that complement the educational philosophies of the early twentieth century innovator, Rudolf Steiner. and probably quite a few other things your children will invent. Even so, the fundamental goal …

Publish Date: 12/03/2010 23:07

http://albertjason.nwmomsonline.com/2010/12/04/money-saving-tips-for-making-your-own-waldorf-toys-for-creative-play/

Home for the Holidays: Bella Luna Toys gift certificate — Simple Kids

Owned by experienced Waldorf teacher and author, Sarah Baldwin, Bella Luna Toys carries “Waldorf toys, wooden toys, and natural toys to nourish the senses and inspire the imagination.” If you were to visit my house, you’d find that many …

Publish Date: 12/01/2010 21:01

http://simplekids.net/bella-luna-giveaway/

Slow Parenting: the joy of handmade toys | Jorg and Olif – The …

Children have a very special relationship with their toys, and many of us still have a treasured doll or teddy bear hidden away somewhere — 0ne that’s seen us.

Publish Date: 04/09/2010 0:00

http://jorgandolif.com/discover/slow-parenting-the-joy-of-handmade-toys-2/

Twelve Crafts Till Christmas: handmade holiday tips

Avoid the long lines and waiting lists for the must-have toy of the season. Handmade toys can increase imagination and encourage creativity. For example, my children love to pretend that they work in a post office. …

Publish Date: 12/15/2010 18:00

http://twelvecraftstillchristmas.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-holiday-tips.html

Valuing yourself is one of the best gifts you can give to your children.

There are many ways to boost self esteem and feel worthy, below are a few ideas that you can use together with your children to nourish self worth.

1. Celebrate what is already working for you and your family.

2. Visualize the way you want your relationship between you and your children, family, and spouse to be;  take steps to live it on a daily basis.

3. Be in touch with mind, body and soul:  Teach your children to use positive visualizations and guided imagery for learning, creativity and relaxation. Practice your spirituality.  Encourage daily physical exercise so you can be in touch with your body. Give massage therapy!

4. Encourage your children to listen to the wise voice within, and you do the same!

5. Laugh and play together!

6. Live with gratitude and take time to thank others by both giving and receiving (you are worthy of gifts too!).

7. Keep moving forward; always growing and changing toward your best authentic self.

8. Ask for support when needed.

9. Stop judging yourself, be aware that negative chattering inside the mind and find ways to overcome it.

10. Valuing the place you live also shows that you care about yourself and the world around you. Get outdoors as much as possible, slow down and appreciate the miracle of everyday life (For example:  identify a new flower in your yard, learn as much as you can about it and follow it’s cycle through the seasons, what are the birds, squirrels,  bugs and other wild animals doing during the year?) Discuss and learn with your children.

Additional Resources- wonderful books for you and your children :
I’m a Medicine Woman Too!: A Tale of Herbal Wisdom and Personal Empowerment

Spinning Inward: Using Guided Imagery with Children for Learning, Creativity & Relaxation
Sanctuaries of Childhood: Nurturing a Child’s Spiritual Life

Related articles

• A Non-Consumer Christmas: Simple Gifts for Kids and Grown-Ups (getrichslowly.org)
• Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D.: New Study on Guided Imagery for Healing Kids’ Chronic Pain (huffingtonpost.com)

LOVE  Comments! Are there things you can do to express value for your family?

Fairy tales, folketales and myths live on!

You may think with all of the modern technology available that we would not need to sit around and tell stories to our kids anymore- heck we have hand held devices, TV and computers that can do that for us right? I couldn’t disagree more! Being a storyteller is one of the best gifts you can give your child.

Stories are not just for the camp fire. I find time to sit and tell stories with my kids daily. We have made this a daily ritual, if I ‘forget’ my kids remind me that it is story time!

I like to both tell my own stories and read classics from books.  I also use stories as a learning opportunity for my kids as much as possible.

Did I  mention that the stories are nourishing for me as well?

Being a mom of two young toddlers has been rewarding in more ways than I can count. One of the things that was a big surprise to me though, was how rewarding it would be for me to read fairy tales and myths again. I used to love them as a child, but as an adult I thought they would not have that much meaning for me now, boy was I wrong!

When I began to get curious as to why I would have these huge bursts of creativity after my kids were born, I listened to the audio , The Creative Fire by Clarrisa Pinkola Estes, I discovered right away just how soul nourishing learning through stories and myth can be.

I then began to delve into every story and myth I could get my hands on. Some of the fairy tales I read as a child and some are brand new to me. For those of you with girls out there, one of my favorite fairy tale books of the moment is The Maid of the North: Feminist Folk Tales from Around the World

Fairy tales and myths have deep meaning that I believe is missing in some of the forms of entertainment in today’s society. Watching a movie  is wonderful, but it is not the same as using your own imagination. Our imagination needs the power of story both from books and through the spoken word of the storyteller.

Create your own stories! Give your children a gift they can continue to pass down to future generations…

Within the last year I have began writing my own children’s stories as well. I began to take courses at The Institute of Children’s Literature .

I will also be beginning a writing course in January over at Savvy Authors called
Write a Novel With Mythic Impact with Marcy Weydemuller

My journey through story is ongoing. I am looking forward to sharing the power of story with my children as they grow.

We can learn so much about our own journey and personal development from the archetypes in literature.

***I will be writing a lot more about myths, fairy tales and folktales in future posts, there is so much to share! I feel so strongly about the importance of these tales in everyday life, that my blog theme (the new artwork that will be added to the top of my blog ) is going to be based fairy tale artwork (I am so excited, look for the new changes in early January).

If you would like to find out more about discovering your life path through literature, below are some books to get you started:

Stories We Need to Know: Reading Your Life Path in Literature

The Heroine’s Journey

The Power of Myth

How have stories touched your life? Have you learned anything about your own journey by reading myths, folktales or fairy tales?

Related articles

• Why do the National Book Awards bar fairy tales? (salon.com)
• Why fairy tales are immortal (theglobeandmail.com)
• Elizabeth Cunningham: Fairy Tales: An Antidote to Bullying? (huffingtonpost.com)
• A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (collectedmiscellany.com)

Someone recently asked me ” Are there things that you do that are not mothering related that help you with your mothering?” You bet! In fact without these things I just might loose my mind! I find if I don’t nourish my creative side I am not a very nice person to be around, the day becomes too bland… I feel something is missing. I love art and crafts of all types- here are some more ways below.

1. Have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee /tea with a good friend. The best is at my favorite coffee shop( Mountain Moka) or pub ( Mcmenamins in Troutdale) listening to an outdoor concert. Or sitting by a fire in the backyard or camping- eating, telling stories, drinking and being merry! As I have mentioned in other posts I don’t have a lot of help with the kids, so when it comes to my adult friend time w/o the kids, boy do I cherish it!

2. Read books- I confess, I am a bookaholic. I love non fiction, fiction, and young adult books. I also love mythology and fairy tales! Read poetry- I especially love  Emily Dickinson.

3. Dance (when was the last time you danced?) I turn the music on full blast and just let go! Hey don’t get the wrong idea, it’s not ‘Dancing With The Stars’, but I sure ROCK in my mind:)

4. A hot bath. I love baths! Especially herbal ones. I wrote a post about herbal baths HERE

5. Audio books. I do consider audio different than reading actual books. There is something about connecting to the author by hearing their actual voice that makes all the difference. I love listening to storytellers and poets Clarrisa Pinkola Estes and John O Donohue are a few of my favorites at the moment (there are many).I should also add I like  movies too- just got back from Harry Potter 7, LOVED IT!

6. Getting out in Nature. I do this with my kids as much as possible, but getting out alone is an absolute must as well, this is my soul nourishment and where I feel closest to God. Of course there is my beloved forest and Mountain (the Columbia River Gorge in Troutdale where I was raised  and Mt Hood where I live now) – but my favorite is the Ocean (about an hour and a half drive away) I used to live at the Oregon Coast at the boarder of Nehalem and Wheeler- I try to make it back at least a few times a year. By the way, if you ever make it through Wheeler on Hyway 101 (if you blink you miss it) there is a liquor store there that is owned by an Herbalist- they sell bulk herbs and give free advise if you ask! Great little town:)

7. Working with the plants. This should be no surprise to the people who know me. When I get a volunteer plant in my yard or discover a new species that I have never seen before while out on my daily walk, my heart races, it is my absolute passion. Yes I talk to the plants when I garden! Oh, and Naked Gardening is out as of 2007- or at least that what the ‘law’ says…

What nourishes you? Leave your comments below!

Related articles

• Are You “Toxic” or “Nourishing?” Take this Quiz and Find Out (psychologytoday.com)

“Why is it that when I don’t know what I want, there is always someone waiting to tell me what it is? I’m just lucky I guess. ~ Anne Wilson Schaef

Do you really know what your needs are?

If you are not living authentically, you may wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and wonder who the person is that is staring back at you.

If we get used to doing what everyone else expects of us, we may loose the ability to determine what we want. We may get confused about what it is exactly that is good and right for us.  Our needs are not being met because we do not know what those needs are.

Unless you know what you want, what your values are, and what is right for you, you cannot be an honest person. You are not only being dishonest with yourself, but you are being dishonest with everyone you are trying to please. You may think you are pleasing them, but the reality is they will never get to know the real you.

People who will try to punish you for being authentic

In The Essential Laws of Fearless Living by Guy Finley he states ” Walk away from anyone who “helps” you to feel that it’s necessary for you to hurt; leave anyone who causes you pain for “your own good”.

Often we may fear being authentic about our wants, needs and values because of the reaction of others. In my view, honesty is the best policy. Real love is unconditional.

“Never accept as natural or necessary any relationship outwardly- or inwardly – with a person or psychological state that punishes you. Say “NO” and just go! A whole new independent life awaits you.” Guy Finely

Here is a great needs inventory from the Center For Nonviolent Communication

This list may help you in your path to authenticity, do you recognize any of these needs that may not be getting met in your life right now? Are you able to communicate these needs in a healthy way with others?

Here are some great products and resources:   Guy Finely Fearless Living

Sometimes I laugh when I stop and take the time to really have a look around my house. When did I vacuum last? Really, my house is not that bad (it’s livable), but I will tell you this, I will ‘let it go’ as my Grandmother would say, before I would quit writing or quit playing on the ground, in the dirt,  face to face with my kids.

I’ll throw the laundry into the closet unfolded, hide the unopened bills in a drawer that is so full it can’t even be opened, use a push broom to push all the toys into a corner in the playroom, have books laying on every surface when really they should be neatly placed on a bookshelf.

Because what really matters,  is that my kids were cherished, that I nurtured my passion and creativity, that I stopped and took the time to have that conversation with a cherished friend.  No one is going to remember or care what the house looked like 20 years from now. In 20 years, my children will be blossoming into adulthood, and I hope they will have learned more than housecleaning.

My Grandmother loved to write (and did I mention she gave birth to, and raised 10 amazing children, 9 of them girls?), one of the most cherished gifts I have ever received are the hand made books she used to craft for me. Before scrap booking, the internet, or photo-shop, she would carefully pick magazine photos and cut and paste them to hard paper~ creating wonderful stories and poems all about me, her hopes for me, and beautiful things she knew I  liked; butterflies, birds and flowers.

I loved reading my Grandmother’s writings, one stands out in particular, here in an excerpt from one of her poems titled Memories;

“But o, how it would have eased the burden she bare along life’s way,

if I’d told mother how much I love her while it was still today.” ~ 1985

The poem sparked a conversation that led me to find out about one of my families biggest ‘scandals’. My mother explained to me that Grandma had indeed not spoken to her mother for years after, and had always regretted it. I may not have know that if it were not for my Grandma’s writings.

I love that someday my kids will be able to look back at  my journals (both online and off), get a glimpse of how I was living at the time, what my passions and learning experiences were, and see how I interacted with the world. And hopefully, like Grandma’s writings they will spark many spirited conversations around the table.

” Tell us the details…  pay tribute to all the everyday and extraordinary things” ~Natalie Goldberg

I have kept many journals over the years. Unfortunately, I threw all the early ones away. I was worried about being judged if anyone ever found them, and also, there was a lot of painful things in there that had not been addressed, and I wanted it all to be forgotten.

I would give anything to be able to read those journals from my turbulent teen years. Could you imagine the insight I could have gleaned from all of that teenage angst? It is one thing to be able to look back and remember the past (we change the stories over time) but to be able to read my feelings, raw, in the moment- I wish I would have kept them. I would love to go back to that girl in the tight Levi’s jeans, give her a big hug, and tell her not to worry, tell her her butt is perfect and stop worrying about it (that in a few years J low would make her ‘bubble butt’ popular), and reassure her that she was amazing and for God’s sake don’t worry what others think. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to look back on those journals when Ella is a teen, just in case I need to be reminded?

Just when I want to give up writing- shut down the computer, run into the woods and never log on again, I am remided again of all the blessings of sharing, writing it all down.

“Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that’s why we decide we’re done. It’s getting too scary. We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.” ~ Natalie Goldberg

Yep folks, I going to keep it up! Get used to me, I’ll be here a while.

Writing Resources:

Click here for the Way of Story Writing Course

The other day I was sitting in the coffee shop getting ready to do some computer work. I had just started typing when a well dressed man came up to the counter and began talking to the barista. I couldn’t help but overhear “ya, my girlfriend loves to watch those stupid shows like Jerry Springer, when I asked her why she said that it was because she loves to watch these f^%&ed up people because it makes her feel good about herself”.

At first I was annoyed, then I had an epiphany. There are actually people who like to see others not succeed – the lower others are, the better they feel. OK it is not like this was new news to me, I always knew there were people like this out there. The epiphany was I had heard this somewhere before, it was from a friend that I had not talked to since my daughter was born. Although I knew this friend had insecurities, I never thought she would take these out on me. I found out the hard way that no matter how much you want to help someone, they cannot give away what they don’t have.

You see, once I became pregnant with daughter, I decided there was no room for toxic relationships in my life. I decided I was no longer going to waste my time with it. It was not like I made some big announcement to the world, I just began to change. Sure I had a few setbacks, and boy, the people in my life at the time who were not used to this change in me tried to make a ruckus. This particular friend that I mentioned earlier caused nothing but drama and stress in my life when the most exciting, miraculous, amazing thing was happening. I was having a  successful pregnancy following recurring miscarriages. I had never been more happy in my life. I was hurt, frustrated and confused as to why she would try to cause so many problems in my life knowing full well all I had been through. She went so far as to get several other people involved and I ended up uninviting the people involved to my baby shower. I was always there for her, I trusted her, why was she doing this?

I had the  realization that when you begin to change and start respecting yourself, the people who were able to manipulate you in the past begin to notice the shift immediately and take evasive action. They test your boundaries, try to put you down, and manipulate so they can try to get a foot hold again. I will admit that this was a very stressful time, these were people that were fully interwoven into my life at the time- for whatever reason I felt combination of obligation, blame, and even victimized for a while.  Prior to my pregnancy I did not have the knowledge at the time to realize that by going along with the drama I was betraying my own values, it took the love for my daughter to make me come to the this realization. I did not feel deserving enough until the moment I became pregnant, I had came so far to get to this place after just experiencing 2 miscarriages. My daughter’s life was in my hands- yes it took that for me to realize.

” Never be upset when you find yourself in the valleys of life for in there lies all the nutrients for growth.” Barbara Johnson

The separation from these toxic relationships and the rearranging and restructuring of a few others was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I always prided myself in being honest and not betraying others but after I made this new  commitment to myself and my daughter, I realized that I had been betraying myself for a long time. I would never dream of doing this to someone else, yet it was OK for me to treat myself this way. Was I holding true to my values? Was I even sure what my values were?

After this began the process of being true to myself, and realizing I am the best judge of what is right for me. I deserve to be treated with respect. I made a commitment that I would establish a code of honor for myself and stick to it. I would continue to learn and grow.

Here are just a few things you can get do to get started if you feel you like your boundaries have been crossed, you’re not trusting yourself,  you are not respecting yourself, or you have toxic relationships in your life.

1. Make a commitment to be true to yourself and your values. This may include writing out a mission statement for yourself, place it somewhere where you can see it daily. Write affirmations to change those beliefs that have been placed on you that no longer serve you. You may even celebrate your new commitment with a ceremony or celebration.

2. Know yourself make time to stop, quiet yourself, and go withing daily. Accept yourself, appreciate your gifts, be compassionate not critical of your shortcomings, pay close attention to what you say and do, and get feedback from someone you can trust.

3. Know your values YOU define those!

4. Tell the truth- even if its uncomfortable or even painful.

5. Be willing to change and grow - deal with what you need to, let go and move forward.

6. Forgive yourself and others – be compassionate, don’t blame yourself or others.

7. Be bold, courageous and express your unique self!- celebrate your wild creativity!

More resources…

Medicine Woman Core Course

Click here for A Year of Guided Meditations

Welcome Authentic Mama Deborah! I met Deborah through Authentic Family Living. It is so refreshing to hear personal stories of mamas like Deborah nurturing their creativity alongside their children- and loving life! You can read more about Deborah and her beautiful family at her personal blog The Thought Train.

Deborah’s Bio: I’m 31, married for 10 years with four children – Amber, 6…Caleb, 4…Rebecca & Logan (twins) 21 months. We live in a little town called Sugar Grove in Northwestern Pennsylvania. I homebirthed all my children (twins were a surprise at the birth), co-sleep until they’re ready to move on, cloth diaper, exclusively breastfeed, and am unschooling. My hobbies include handbuilding/sculpting pottery, needlefelting, making corn husk dolls, reading, talking, walking, and just plain having fun with friends and family.

1. What did you learn about yourself (or what has changed you) since you became a mother? Oh, so many things! I have learned that the world has a whole lot more grey than I once thought. I used to think there was one right way to do things, and sought after that one right way for a long time. But my firstborn didn’t fit the mold of what “right” parenting meant. She wanted to be held, constantly, and nursed constantly. I was sleeping with her and “spoiling” her according to some. But I felt this was “right” for us – that if you could go back to Adam and Eve, surely they also slept with their precious child and held him all the time – why wouldn’t they??? A new human being, so dependent and marvelous…why the need to ignore them and put them in a separate space? Why was this considered better parenting?

This, I think, is what brings families closer together, regardless of how you school or sleep or birth, etc. I conscientiously make decisions to be closer to my children, and respect their desires and needs, and also show them how to respect others needs and desires. People being honest about who they are and not having to apologize for it…that is authenticity to me.

Authentic mama Angela Wallace

This is the first post in a series where I will be featuring real authentic mamas! If you are interested in being interviewed contact me at mysacredforest at aol dot com- I would love to hear your insights!

I had the pleasure of having Angela as a student in my Herbalist 101 course. She inspired me and all of the other students on a daily basis. Angela was very active in the forum, taking the time to spread her healing wisdom to all of the students who had questions there. I interviewed Angela today about her passions, mothering, and life lessons~ here is what she had to say.

I want to introduce myself.  My name is Angela. I’m 37 and a single mother of 2 daughters– Bailey (12) and Skyler (14).  I have been divorced from their father for almost 10 years now.  I have my AAS degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and have worked in the electronics industry for 18 years, 14 as an electronics technician.  For the past 3 years I have been a trainer, teaching people how to build electronics. In my current position , I work for a non-profit company that employs people with varying degree of disability. I help them to learn ways to do their jobs to the best of their individual abilities.

I also have a very small business making herbal and all natural bath and body products– Wicked Witch of Windsor Botanicals.   I am a practicing Solitary Wiccan, and have been for about 7 years now. I am very active with my children– both being straight A students, in band and chorus, and on sports teams.  I am the secretary of the PTA at their school, and have been for 3 years now. It all keeps me extremely busy, but very fulfilled in the end.

1. What did you learn about yourself (or what has changed you) since you became a mother?

My biggest realization as a mother is selflessness.  I was ( and still can be) a very stubborn young woman.  I felt that there was one way to do things, and that was the ONLY way to do them. Everything in my life had to be planned to a tee– I had back up plans for back up plans.  Children threw that philosophy RIGHT out the window. Structure is good, but being too rigid is just way too stressful for everyone involved.

2. What words of wisdom would you like to share about mothering?

Enjoy being a mother.  Play with your kids, let them sleep in your bed just because, sit and watch that silly movie that you can’t stand–just to watch them laugh!  All too soon that is gone.  Take an active role in their lives.  When my girls have friends over, they expect me to sing to American Idol with them, or have the food fight, or just  laugh with them.  But– let them live their OWN life, and make their own mistakes, too.  That’s a hard one for me as my girls are becoming young adults. Bailey is 12 and just hitting puberty– fighting growing up all the way. With her, I have to push her to grow up and take on some bigger responsibilities, find her new self. Skyler on the other hand is 14 going on 21. I have to remind her to slow down and just be a kid some days. I want to impart all my experiences and wisdoms, but every time I hear “You are just too………”, I remember how I felt at that age, and remember that they have to find their own way– with a little discipline, a bit more guidance, and a LOT of patience.

3. How do you channel your creativity (what is your creative outlet/ medium/ special gift)?

I love to create anything, but baking and conjuring my lotions and soaps is where I put my energies.  I also am a professional friend   People come to me and ask me for advice– both personal and even herbal now.  For example, my boss had a reaction to some chemicals the other day and I the next thing I know he comes to me “Hey, Angela, where’s that Witch’s brew?”

4. How do you harmonize motherhood and creativity?

Sometimes that is a tough one.  I’ve taught my daughters my “craft” and they love to help when they can.  It’s gotten so when it comes time for them to go to a birthday party, or to give gifts for any reason, we all brainstorm and try to come up with some unique product to give away– or they will “shop” my lotion closet.  Sometimes our creativity is channeled differently– we have “movie night” where we do nothing but watch movies and eat popcorn, or “music night” when we just get silly and sing and dance around the house.

5. Do you have a recent experience or challenge that has changed you (please explain how/why)?

A few, but the main one was the loss of my fiance’ unexpectedly just over a year ago.  He suffered massive heart failure in our home.  His daughters are 20 and 23, and see me as their step mother, my daughters knew him as a step father.  It was a struggle because the company we worked for was in the process of going under, I was not working, and his daughters had only moved into their own apartment the month before. Life as I had known it had ended for me.  I really had to evaluate where I was and what I wanted out of life.  I was now a widow, not just a single mom.  I now had 2 grown daughters who knew no more about taking care of themselves then my young teens did, and 2 young teens that needed their mom to guide the through their grief, and life– and I was on unemployment to boot.

I found an inner strength that I always have had, but really had to pull hard from through it all.  Instead of seeing this as a blow to me and just another reason for despair, I used it to make a brand new start.  I started a new , more rewarding job in a career field I love. I certainly do not take the little things for granted anymore.  I find myself not stressing as much.  I still argue with my girls, of course– they ARE teenagers, but I choose my battles more carefully.  I make it a point to hug them good bye every morning, and tuck them in every night– and yes, they actually won’t go to sleep unless I do, even at 12 and 14! As for my “step” daughters– they have their own challenges, but are blossoming into beautiful, self sufficient young women.  The 20 year old is now a recovering drug and alcohol addict.  She struggles daily with it, but she is clean, and she is hopeful for the first time since she was 16 years old.

6. What would you like to say to mothers going through similar challenges?

The one thing that gets me through the tough times is remembering that we do what we have to to survive.  My favorite saying is “The negative in our lives only sets us up to appreciate the positive around that next corner”.  Sometimes I think to myself  ” this has been long wall, must be a GREAT corner!”. I have to remind myself sometimes that there is always that corner.

7. What inspires you, centers you, fulfills you- what is your passion?

My passion is first and foremost being the best mom I can be.  After that, it’s helping people, and making those that I care about feel loved.  When I see a smile on their faces, it makes my day. When I can make a stranger smile just because, that’s another day brightener.

8. How do you nurture yourself?

Unfortunately, I don’t do this as often as I should.  Sometimes it’s as simple as putting aside a half hour to read a book, or take a bath. This week, it’s asking my parents to take my daughters while they are on school break so I can have some quiet time to myself.  I LOVE live music, so I try very hard to get out to see a local band every few weeks. Just let my hair down, dance, sing, and escape from responsibility for a couple of hours.  In the summer time, I may mow the lawn or walk in the woods.  Often my nurturing time is taken in small 10-15 minute increments, but I’ve finally realized that they are necessary for my own sanity.

9. What does being authentic mean to you?

Authentic to me– being true to yourself.

Society tells us we should feel this way, or do it that way.  We are each individuals and we know what’s right for us, what works for us.  Some authentic mamas feel that home schooling and a vegan lifestyle is what is true to them, others may feel a complete green lifestyle works for them. And even others may feel that the convenience society allows us is what works.  I just feel that it’s up to me as a mother to decide what works for my family– and staying true to that makes me Authentic. I choose to stay close to nature, to try a wholistic approach to life in general. I’m not perfect at it, and I’m still learning, but at the end of the day I can look myself in the mirror and know that I made decisions that I believe benefited me and my family.

10. Do you have any final thoughts or advice you would like to share with other mothers about how they can practice being authentic and nurture their passions in life?

LIVE your life. Don’t be afraid to try something new or go out on a limb once in a while. But– do so within your means and abilities. What I mean is, if you are on a shoestring budget, don’t go spend money you don’t have to start a new hobby and end up giving yourself MORE stress. If you know you are afraid of heights, I wouldn’t suggest you make your new passion hang gliding. But– if you want to start wildcrafting herbs– get a book or two off amazon, or just research online — and go for it. If you want to try that compost pile in the back yard– give it a try.  What have you got to lose?– probably a lot less than you have to gain from the spiritual boost you find from doing something Authentic to you !