Episode 162
Mothering Beyond Parenting: Nurturing Your Purpose
In the second week of reflecting on mothering, the host, Heather Hester, effectively shifts the paradigm from traditional notions of motherhood to a broader understanding of nurturing as a vital component of creativity and enterprise. The episode discusses the concept of 'mothering' as a metaphor for the care we extend not only to children but also to our aspirations, projects, and the various visions we seek to manifest in the world. Heather's personal narrative regarding the inception of Chrysalis Mama serves as a poignant illustration of this theme, as she shares the tumultuous yet rewarding journey of birthing an initiative that emerged from a place of urgent necessity and deep personal conviction. The process of nurturing ideas, akin to mothering, is framed as a journey characterized by uncertainty, vulnerability, and the imperative of sustained commitment amidst challenges.
Heather poignantly depicts the emotional and psychological landscapes navigated by those who undertake the task of 'mothering' their missions. She highlights the importance of resilience in the face of obstacles such as burnout and self-doubt, while also emphasizing the necessity of cultivating a deep connection to one's vision. By inviting listeners to contemplate their roles as nurturers of their respective missions, Heather fosters a sense of community and shared experience, thereby reinforcing the notion that the act of creation is both a solitary and collective endeavor. Ultimately, the episode champions the idea that embracing the creative process with tenderness and courage is essential, encouraging individuals to reflect on how their pursuits shape their identities and the impact they have on the world.
Takeaways:
- The act of mothering encompasses nurturing not only children but also our creative endeavors and projects.
- Engaging in the process of building a business necessitates a commitment to growth and resilience.
- Mothering demands that we embrace uncertainty and discomfort while remaining dedicated to our missions.
- It is essential to nurture our initiatives with love and patience, allowing them to evolve naturally.
- One must reflect on whether they are nurturing their projects or allowing fear to dictate their actions.
- Honoring the cycles of creativity and renewal is crucial for sustaining our passionate pursuits.
Connect with Heather:
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Work with Heather one-on-one or bring her into your organization to speak or run a workshop!
Email: hh@chrysalismama.com
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Transcript
Welcome back to More Human, More Kind.
Speaker A:This is the second episode in our Friday reflection series on mothering.
Speaker A:Last week we explored the heart of mothering, its sacredness, its quiet strength, and how it shows up in all of us.
Speaker A:Today we shift the lens a bit and talk about mothering as a creative act.
Speaker A:Not in the traditional sense, but in the way we care for the things we build, our businesses, our ideas, our callings, how we even use phrases such as birthing into the world to describe these projects.
Speaker A:Because there is a parallel feeling of creating, of introducing something that is required and will continue to require so much work, love and care.
Speaker A:Whether you're nurturing a side hustle, a classroom, a non profit or an idea still tucked inside your journal, this episode is for you.
Speaker A:When I started Chrysalis Mama, I didn't know it would become a business, a podcast, or a movement.
Speaker A:I just knew I needed to do something after our family began the journey of supporting our LGBTQ child.
Speaker A:At first, even though the feeling was one of urgency and a deep knowing in my soul, it also felt fragile.
Speaker A:There were days it didn't feel ready and certainly not polished.
Speaker A:But I kept tending to it, feeding it, loving it, picking it up and trying again when something fell flat.
Speaker A:And like all things we mother, it began to grow slowly, then suddenly, then in directions I never anticipated.
Speaker A:Mothering a business or a mission requires the same kind of heart work as parenting.
Speaker A:It asks us to show up consistently, to let go of perfection, to listen deeply, to hold the vision even when no one else sees it.
Speaker A:Yet here's what I've learned.
Speaker A:Mothering something outside of ourselves means being in constant relationship with uncertainty, of sitting in discomfort.
Speaker A:More often than not, it means nourishing your mission through the seasons of burnout, creative blocks, imposter syndrome, and overwhelm.
Speaker A:It means fiercely protecting its essence while allowing it to evolve.
Speaker A:And it means trusting that the work you're doing matters, even when it's quiet, even when the numbers don't add up, even when you're met with doubt.
Speaker A:Maybe you don't call it a business.
Speaker A:Maybe it's a movement you're starting, a community you're supporting, a book you're writing or a classroom you're showing up for every single day?
Speaker A:Whatever it is, ask yourself, am I mothering this with care or controlling it with fear?
Speaker A:Am I nurturing growth or chasing outcomes?
Speaker A:Am I honoring the creative cycles of rest and renewal?
Speaker A:You don't need a business plan to call it a mission.
Speaker A:You just need to love it enough to stay in the process.
Speaker A:Take a moment right now and ask yourself, what am I building?
Speaker A:What am I creating?
Speaker A:What am I nurturing in my life right now?
Speaker A:How am I showing up for it?
Speaker A:And just as importantly, how is it shaping you?
Speaker A:Let this be a permission slip to mother your mission tenderly, boldly, and on your own terms.
Speaker A:The world needs more nurturers of vision, more protectors of possibility.
Speaker A:Whatever your mission looks like, keep tending to it with love.
Speaker A:And if you have something that has been taking shape in your heart and soul, maybe this is your sign to birth it into the world.
Speaker A:You never know whose life it might touch or how deeply it might change.
Speaker A:Yours.
Speaker A:Until next time.
Speaker A:Remember, you are not alone.
