Article:
Celebrating Mom on Mother's Day
By Roslyn Franken
Moms are typically those kind souls who
love to nurture and give of themselves unselfishly. Their focus is on pleasing others,
solving everyone's problems and making sure their family members have all their needs
meet. However, in the process, many moms lose sight of getting their own needs and wants
met. There is a sense of guilt if they take time out for themselves, as if it is somehow
selfish to put themselves first.
With this sense of self-sacrifice and self-neglect, many
moms suffer quietly with the kinds of repressed emotions and unreleased stress that can
lead to emotional eating habits, lack of physical activity and sleep problems, all serious
contributors to overweight, obesity and many weight-related health problems such as heart
disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer and more.
Therefore, the most important thing you can do this
Mother's Day is finding that special way to honor your mom or someone who has been like a
mother to you. And, if you're a mom yourself, it could also mean allowing for your loved
ones to spoil you rotten.
Having already lost my mother to cancer, perhaps my take on
Mother's Day is a little bit different. I would give anything to have my mom back to make
her feel special and appreciated. It's not about how expensive the jewelry, or how fancy
the restaurant or how big the box of chocolate. Sure, those things are nice, but it's
about the time, love and attention that you give. It is about the thought, meaning and
genuine feelings of appreciation behind it all.
The bottom line is moms just want to feel special and
appreciated by others, the same way they make others feel. But equally important, moms
need to learn how to make themselves feel special and appreciated. They need to learn how
to do this for themselves by learning to let go of guilt and how to be selfish in a
positive and productive way. This means re-defining the word “selfish”. They
have to learn to be kinder, more nurturing and giving to themselves and learn to reach out
for and ask for what they themselves need and want.
So, if you're looking for a gift for Mother's Day, why not
do something to help your mom show herself some appreciation. Here are some suggestions:
Take her shopping and help her pick out a new
outfit. Encourage her to try a new colour or style that makes her feel great
about herself. Sometimes we all need a little boost to give us the courage to get out of
our comfort zones.
Take her to the spa and let her pick out the
treatments she would like to have. For example, you may want to surprise her with
a manicure, but maybe she's never had a massage and with a little encouragement would want
to give that a try instead.
Take her to brunch or dinner at a restaurant that
she's always been wanting to try, but has never had the opportunity. Ask her
where she'd like to go, or make a few suggestions. Or, if you prefer, why not prepare a
special brunch at home for her with her favourite foods. Be sure to set the table with
your best table linens and silverware to make her feel extra special.
Take your mom on an outing to something new and
different that she never would have gone to otherwise. This could be a new movie
in town, a special exhibit at the local museum, a wine tasting, or some unique event that
is going on in your city. Check your local paper to see what's going on.
Cherish every moment you have with your mother. Make this
an extra special Mother's Day by giving her your time, attention and appreciation. But
don't forget, the flowers and jewelry are appreciated too! Enjoy your Mother's Day
celebrations.
Roslyn Franken is
a proud cancer survivor and acclaimed author of The A List: 9
Guiding Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living and Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer Survivors. She is a motivational speaker and host of the How to Thrive after 35 internet radio
show. Roslyn also offers one-on-one
coaching by telephone and email conveniently accessible world-wide. For more
information, send email to info@roslynfranken.com
or visit www.roslynfranken.com.
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Roslyn
Franken is author of The A List: 9 Guiding
Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living. She is a Weight Loss Coach and
Motivational Speaker on positive living solutions for positive results for greater health,
success and quality of life. She hosts How to
Thrive After 35 Internet Talk Radio and is co-author of Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer Survivors.
Diagnosed
with cancer at age 29, Franken fought back to become a long-term cancer survivor. Then at
age 39, at her heaviest weight ever, and concerned for her health, she decided to fight
back once again, only this time to overcome her battles with food and weight once and for
all.
Roslyn
owns Roslyn Franken Group, committed to helping people lighten up their lives one bite at
a time by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, balanced lifestyle, and positive
outlook.
For
more information, visit www.roslynfranken.com
or view her video at http://www.roslynfranken.com/highlights.wmv
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