Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My Mantra.....

So....it all happened quite by accident, me - finding a new mantra. A few months ago, the night before the last half marathon we did, I looked at my running attire...and realized that quite frankly it was all in a state of blech. So, in true 11th hour fashion, I made a trip to Walmart, hoping to find SOMETHING suitable to wear for the race in the morning. Something suitable, and cheap, that is. We're working on a budget here.
Nothing says cheap like a good clearance rack, so that's where I headed and found this little beauty:




The message on the front was a little cheesy "wonder mom"?...............I think it was a left over Mothers day T-shirt from last year, actually.

But.....it was 5 bucks, it fit, and so there you go - race shopping done.
As it turns out, it's seriously the most comfortable shirt ever, and I love it. (and I loved people cheering for 'wonder mom' during the race!, but that's a complete side note to the story)

So, I actually went BACK to Walmart the next week, and bought the only other one in my size on the clearance rack.

Every morning as I lace up to go running (really it's more of a plodding along....but let's not be technical).....I look down and see "Wonder Mom", and it's sort of rubbing on me, becoming something of a mantra for me.

Not in any prideful way, mind you. Heaven knows (and all you that know me know) that I am quite possibly as far away from Wonder Mom as I can get. But, it's given me a little extra mental oomph or something, knowing that I really CAN do it (whatever that IT happens to be for the day). I CAN run a half marathon. I CAN choose to eat healthy. I CAN learn a new song on the piano, I CAN keep things somewhat organized, I CAN learn to let it go when it happens not to, I CAN do the most important things first, and I CAN keep a better perspective on things.
Thank heavens being a 'wonder mom' doesn't mean doing all those things every day. But every day I CAN strive to be better than the day before.

Maybe the reason this is all so 'on my mind' as of late because in just a couple of weeks is my 20 year high school reunion, and it's made me reflect ALOT on the struggles I had as a youth. And the struggles were a plenty.
Just ask my mother.

And I would dare say that the vast majority.....no, I think I would say every last one of those struggles was a result of my lack of knowing 'who' I am. Oh how I would love to re-live some of those years. But that's not the plan. The plan is learning from those mistakes and experiences, moving on, and striving to be better.

So.....Wonder Mom is moving on. Moving forward. Leaving old insecurities behind, and realizing that while I am certainly not perfect by any stretch of the means.....I am me, and someone Greater than I has a purpose for me.

This new Mantra "Wonder Mom", for me is not about who I am, but more what I can become.

So, I owe Walmart some thanks, for creating a cheesy, yet somehow inspiring Mother's day shirt.


9 comments:

Mechelle said...

Way to go Ange! You are WONDERful as well!

The Cheatham Family said...

I like it! It takes many of us a while to find out who we really are. It's nice knowing that I wasn't alone in the search. College years definetley helped and married life and mommyhood has helped as well. I'm still learning more and more about myself each day as I'm sure everyone else around me is too.

Jewels said...

You are amazing Ange and most definatly a Wonder Mom to me and more importantly to your kids!! Thanks for the inspiring post as always!!

Lara said...

I beg to differ. I think you are a Wonder Mom in every way. I love that mantra and may have to steal it.

You will never realize just how amazing you really are which is exactly one of the reasons why I love you.

Mara said...

love love love IT!! Reading your blog is better than church (Wink)

Wendi said...

What a great post, Ange! I'm so impressed that you're out there running! I can barely run across the street these days! Thanks for the inspiration and good luck at your reunion. I'm not brave enough to go to mine-- my excuse is that it's all the way back in Florida. ;)

FarrEver Family said...

I love this post. Thanks for making me smile, and feel like I can keep trying to be wonder mom too. Although, most days I would settle for being a little more like you. Thanks for being a good example to us all.

Stef said...

Seriously, if I was half as positive and up-beat as you are, I would have Disney animals following me around and helping me clean my house.

Melanie said...

There are no accidents! It was printed for YOU!