Mothers are the bottom line!
There are loud voices around us expounding upon the role of women. Often those loud voices seek to eliminate motherhood as a viable option for contemporary women. Some even go so far as to call motherhood a “negative stereotype” calling for the elimination of such things as Mother’s Day.
United Families, however, wants to rejoice along with you as we pay tribute to all of the mothers, grandmothers, mothers to be, and all those who carry within them a “mother’s heart.” We wanted to share with you remarks written by UFI’s Vice-President of Chapter Development, Carol Soelberg. Carol has recently been honored as Arizona’s Mother of the Year and was in New York City last week to be honored at the national conference of American Mothers. Thank you, Carol, for sharing a portion of your speech with us and “thank you” to all mothers everywhere. And, we at United Families International unabashedly say “Happy Mother’s Day!”
Mother Matters!
YOU are the Bottom Line!
As the mother of thirteen children, I spent many years hauling sweet little kids in and out of grocery carts, school concerts, sporting events, and many other public places, and I don’t remember anyone ever applauding me or rarely even encouraging my efforts. In fact I usually got just the opposite in sneers and jeers. It is no wonder, Mothers need reminding from time to time how important they are to society! I had an experience a number of years ago which buoyed my perspective of the importance of motherhood forever!
I was President of United Families International, and as such was asked to speak at the World Congress of Families in Warsaw Poland. The Congress is held every three years in different places around the world and its purpose is to assemble from many ethnic, cultural, social and religious communities individuals who wish to affirm that the natural human family is established by the Creator and is essential to the good of society. More than 3,000 people had come together to discuss how to defend the family, and how to encourage public policy and cultural norms, that uphold the vital roles that the family plays in society.
The topic I was asked to address was the importance of the mother in the home and its affect on economy. I began my speech with the words, “As a mother of 13 children, I understand the important role mothers play in a healthy society.” I hardly got the words out of my mouth when the room broke into a thunderous applause. I was stunned as it lasted for several minutes. As I stood there looking into the faces of these people from all over the world, I could see the great love they felt for the blessing of families. Most of them lived in political and economic situations that would never allow them to enjoy the benefits of a large family, but they recognized the value of it just the same. It was heart warming to feel their love for families.
Let me share with you what some experts say about how important mothers are!
The great author C. S. Lewis, said, “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only””and that is to support this ultimate career.” Women you are the makers of homes and homes are the foundation of society!
Gary Becker who received the nobel prize for economics said, “The mother at home raising her children makes a greater contribution to the economy than the father in the work place.”
Theodore Roosevelt said, “No nation can exist at all, unless the average woman is the home-keeper, the good wife, and unless she is the mother of a sufficient number of healthy children to keep the nation going forward. The indispensable work for the community is not that of careers, industry or research; it is the work of the wife and the mother. The woman’s work in the home is more important than any man’s endeavors. She does play a greater part.”
Oprah Winfrey said: “We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as ‘just a mom.’ It is on her back that great nations are built. To play down mothering as small””is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. We affirm other mothers and as we teach our sons, husbands and friends to hold them in the highest regard, we honor both the mothers whose shoulders we have stood on…and the daughters who will one day, stand tall on ours.”
It is easy while working in the trenches for mothers to lose sight of their value and the value of what they are doing. Here are five suggestions for keeping that perspective clear!
1. Know (and never forget) WHO you are!
2. Feed your mind! Learning is to the mind what breathing is to the body! Some learning is better than others. Be selective. Learn to recognize what lifts your spirits!
3. Be grateful and of good cheer!
a. Current case studies and research indicate that a state of gratitude reduces symptoms of mild to moderate depression and anxiety; generates more positive memories; creates more empathy; produces more forgiving hearts; encourages helpfulness and generosity; has fewer physical complaints and reports getting more exercise and better sleep.
b. Develop a grateful heart by keeping a gratitude journal
c. Eliminate ungrateful thoughts””no complaining!
d. Learn the art of being content
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Serve with the following attitude: “My children do not deflect my purpose they are my purpose.”
Women, you are so vitally important! The success of our civilization rests in your hands as you create each generation of responsible, caring citizens.