Happy Mother's Day

I hope that every Mom has a happy Mother's Day. Mom's should really be celebrated and appreciated every day, not just on this one day that's marked on the calendar.

My Mom has always been my strength. She definitely leads by example. When we were growing up (my brother and I) she was a business owner. But even with her long hours, our house was spotless and she still cooked dinner every night. She gave equal time to family and her business.

Mom would pick us up from school, after working all day. She'd put on the TV (Oprah and Soul Train were our shows of choice). My brother and I would have a snack and watch our shows. Mom would take a quick nap on the couch before Dad came home from work.

She always tells the story about how when I was in grade school, the teacher asked if any parents could volunteer. I raised my hand and volunteered my Mom because "she had plenty of time". According to me, all she did was nap on the couch! (I'll never hear the end of that one!).

Mom balanced her schedule so well that we didn't know how busy she was. Family was (and still is) the most important thing to her.

There were so many good lessons learned from Mom. But I think the best one, the one that still sticks with me daily, is confidence.

Mom always told me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. It was the best lesson I ever learned. She told me so often, that any situation I entered, I had the confidence that I would be able to succeed.

She never promised me that I'd win at everything or that I'd be the best at everything. But letting me know that if I believed in myself, I could do anything was an even better lesson.

I never questioned whether I should do things, I just believed I could.

A great example was when I was in college and decided to start taking ballet classes. I didn't take classes when I was younger because I was more interested in sports. After a few years of classes, I was in NYC with my family to visit my brother. I went to Broadway Dance Center to take a ballet class. In the class were many of my favorite professional dancers from American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. I didn't hesitate to walk in, as the only non-professional dancer, and take class. I knew I wasn't the best, but I wasn't scared because I knew I could do it! It's still one of my best memories!

At some point later in life, "adulting" took over and I lost sight of that great advice from Mom. Suddenly I was questioning myself at every turn.

Thankfully, a few years ago I was reminded, when I decided to do a yoga teacher training course. I was scared that I couldn't make time in my schedule, or that I wouldn't be physically strong enough to do the training, Mom reminded me... If I put my mind to it...I could do anything.

I'm so glad she reminded me. I completed the training and it has changed many decisions I've made in the last few years.

Last month, I used the "mind-over-matter" theory when I completed a half marathon, even though I had not trained at all for the race. I believed I could do it...and I did.

It really works! It helps me to really live my life rather than second-guess every action.

Her constant, unwavering support, through the good times and the bad, helped me to become the person I am today.

And that's the best gift any Mother could give.

Happy Mother's Day Mom.