My OperaI love you Mom
Saturday, December 17, 2011 4:06:04 PM
It was an ordinary day of the week and I was preparing for work. My hair was done. My makeup was on. I wore casual, but chic attire and I sat on the edge of my bed, putting my socks on. My 9 year old girl, Ferne, sat on the floor about three feet away, tying her own shoes, preparing for school.
Out of the blue, she turned her head to me and said, “Mom, I love you.”
Happy yet surprised, I said, “Ferne, I love you too. What made you say that? What was the trigger for you?”
She replied, “You know, Mom, I was just staring at you, and I seriously think you’re gorgeous.”
“Wow Ferne, thank you so much. That is such a great compliment.” I was glowing from ear to ear. It is not every day a mother gets unrequested flattery from her kids.
She continued, “You might not be the skinniest person in the world, still you are beautiful.”
For a minute, the wind beneath my sails stopped. I needed to reclaim my composure.
“Well you know, Ferne, the skinniest person in the entire world possibly has anorexia and she is probably very, very ill. I do not think I'd ever wish to be the skinniest person in the whole world.”
The interaction with my little girl gave me a choice to make. To focus on the fact that she believed I was beautiful, or to focus on not being the skinniest person in the world. One seemed good and one did not so much. It was my choice. I went to glimpse in the mirror for my own evaluation. For a 40year old, I was still quite attractive and clearly my daughter shared the same opinion. I carried on with my day knowing that I had a great story to share.
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Share your story at www.frameofmindcoaching.com or assess your frame of mind at www.assessyourframeofmind.com.
Out of the blue, she turned her head to me and said, “Mom, I love you.”
Happy yet surprised, I said, “Ferne, I love you too. What made you say that? What was the trigger for you?”
She replied, “You know, Mom, I was just staring at you, and I seriously think you’re gorgeous.”
“Wow Ferne, thank you so much. That is such a great compliment.” I was glowing from ear to ear. It is not every day a mother gets unrequested flattery from her kids.
She continued, “You might not be the skinniest person in the world, still you are beautiful.”
For a minute, the wind beneath my sails stopped. I needed to reclaim my composure.
“Well you know, Ferne, the skinniest person in the entire world possibly has anorexia and she is probably very, very ill. I do not think I'd ever wish to be the skinniest person in the whole world.”
The interaction with my little girl gave me a choice to make. To focus on the fact that she believed I was beautiful, or to focus on not being the skinniest person in the world. One seemed good and one did not so much. It was my choice. I went to glimpse in the mirror for my own evaluation. For a 40year old, I was still quite attractive and clearly my daughter shared the same opinion. I carried on with my day knowing that I had a great story to share.
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Share your story at www.frameofmindcoaching.com or assess your frame of mind at www.assessyourframeofmind.com.
