As a mom of two young children, I have to say this parenting stuff is hard. Yes, their kisses are wonderful. When I look into their eyes, I melt. When they say silly things, I crack up. They are beautiful, smart, funny, endearing – and I wouldn’t give them up for the world. Yet sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of Elmos, Lalaloopsies, Tinkerbell Band-Aids, and juiceboxes. There are days when my life is a disaster movie marathon and I can’t seem to pull it together long enough to change the channel. I can barely keep up with the responsibilities of motherhood – let alone wifehood, careerhood, maidhood, exercisehood, diethood, playhood, dayhood, bedtimehood, and of course, up-all-night-hood. Did I forget to mention no-time-for-myself-hood?
In the midst of all the craziness that surrounds my daily life – I have found that the best way to save myself from drowning in a sea of never ending responsibilities is to consciously recognize where I am, and then do everything I can to bring myself back to center. In other words, “Own it then OM it.”
Now you might be thinking, where is center? Great question because on days when I am gasping for air trying to keep my head above water in Momville, center would be located in my bed, under my down comforter, watching a SATC marathon on TBS. So nice. Refreshing. But the center I’m referring to is that of the spiritual kind, the yoga variety. Center is not a physical place, but rather the essence of you and where your confidence lies. A place where you can connect with yourself even if just for a split second. OM is the whole universe coalesced into a single sound and represents the union of mind, body, and spirit that is at the heart of yoga. So when you are feeling overwhelmed or overjoyed, turn inward for a moment or two, hold onto the feelings of happiness and let the feelings of anxiety, fear, frustration, and sadness pass. Practice this everyday and eventually you will be doing it without even thinking about it!
Some ~Own it then OM it~ times in my life:
When my living room looks like Toys ‘R Us and I spend all day cleaning and I never get anywhere –
Own it then OM it.
When the laundry is piled up and the baby is crying and the husband is screaming for more toilet paper –
Own it then OM it.
When I use a car cart at the grocery store and I keep slamming into store shelves because I have no perception of how large the thing really is and my son is screaming to get out because he doesn’t want to ride anymore –
Own it then OM it.
When bath time takes two hours and my son just peed on the rug and my daughter asks for another sip of water every two seconds before bed –
Own it then OM it.
When I’m in the Target check-out line and my daughter is stuffing candy into her pockets and my son is already tearing through an unpurchased bag of M&M’s and my migraine just went into overload –
Own it then OM it.
When my iPhone alarm is set, but my phone is on silent and I sneeze after putting on mascara and I just find out the toilet is plugged as I sit my a** down –
Own it then OM it.
Here are some of my BEST Own it then OM it moments:
- When I look at my kids and realize how lucky I am and what a blessing they are in my life.
- When I get hugs and kisses and artwork made from noodles and the sweetest giggles from too many tickles.
- When I watch them grow and thank God for their health and cherish the milestones they reach every day.
- When I hear them say, “mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom.”
- When I cuddle them at night and tell bedtime stories and watch them fall asleep.
This list could go on and on. I have so many more Own it then OM it moments that I couldn’t possibly write them all down!
Please comment below and share some of yours, good or bad!
Have a great weekend.
lisa
Mommy OM 
I totally agree; as long as we give back to ourselves – through meditation – then our daily struggles drift away. Great post and I look forward to sharing more with you:))
Nice post! I’ve had a big week – one of those where you just get through – not exactly being present when I am in the company of my own children. Feeling like I need a little OM. Thanks for the push! Nice blog – I am new here 🙂
No problem! Thanks. and welcome 🙂
Just found your website….Absolutely love it! So feel like I can relate to so, so, many things you say!!
Thank you!!!
Thank you.
another awesome post, Lisa! I can relate to ALL of those OM moments! Especially the one in the check out line at Target! I think every mom could relate to you and that is why you rock! I love reading your posts, thanks for keepin’ in real, my friend!!! Looking forward to reading and sharing all of your future posts!!! XOXO
Thanks Kristen!! It means so much to me that you enjoy reading what I write! ♥
He he he – luckily those days are behind me – mostly. Now it is taking teenagers to job interviews on a Sunday, helping hubby find the location of a job interview and the coller leaking on the dinig room floor…..
.. cooler …. add learning to proof read to the list
My OWN it then OM it moment — When my 1 year old jack hammers my eye with her heel while we’re in a deep sleep. Fast forward 30 minutes to feel my two year old crawling into bed with me; then shortly after a wet spot below me …. It’s 247AM and I’m OWNing then OMing…
You are right on!!! I know it’s pretty hard to OWN and OM at 3am!!! You rock!
I guess my form of “OM” would be prayer and lately I’ve been finding myself doing a lot of this! I so hear you on the car cart at the grocery store! Bad “Own It then OM It” moment: almost losing my mind when the 2 oldest kids are fighting in said car portion of the car cart and the 1 of the 2 youngest kids is screaming because she can’t drive the car, while the youngest is smearing cherry-chip cookie all over herself. This was yesterday. Good “Own It then OM It” moment: seeing my oldest (5) take a break after an argument with her brother (3.5) then come back and calmly apologize, brother then says he forgives her and they hug. *sigh* That was today.
Love this!! ~ Lisa
Great post!!!
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As always, your posts make me smile! Love your blog! I find myself OMing it regularly today, while I have the Hub and the Cub home with Strep throat. I am caring for them and also packing our home up for our move (two weeks away!) What can you do except smile, right?! Everything will get done, right now they need love and that always comes first.
Oh no! I hope everyone feels better soon! Good luck with the move! Smile! Smile! Smile! (Then maybe scream a little!) I love your blog as well. ♥
Monday was an epic day FAIL which culminated in the discovery of a box of something my almost-5 year old daughter and I had ordered together on our doorstep. The day prior to box discovery was spent repeating instructions, rules and orders to my kids while they ignored me in front of my mother and my best friend during her son’s 1st birthday party (hello, nice to meet you, mutual friend of my friend, *peers out of the side of my eye* STOP! GET AWAY FROM THE CUPCAKE TOWER!!!). Anyway, I saw the box and remembered the awesome pair of blue high top converse sneakers my daughter and I ordered for her since she was totally out of shoes and although she didn’t remember what was in the box, she was so excited it was for her. We sat down with my hubby and watched her open it up… only to dissolve into tears when she realized it was not a toy.
So. Thank you for your post. I was steered here by a friend who knew your words would resonate with me today. 🙂
Thanks for reading! I’m hoping your day got better! I’m sure she ended up loving the sneakers. My daughter sleeps in hers when she gets a new pair :O) ~Lisa
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Not sure how I happened upon your blog, but I love it and can relate to it so much. Thank you for reminding me I’m human!
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