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Tag Archives: fostering

On Mothers and Perspectives

08 Saturday May 2021

Posted by AjmaniK in energy, identity, life and living, nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

caregiving, divine, fostering, mothers, mothersday, perspective, universality

How can I write about a Mother’s perspective when I am not one according to the world’s definition? One way to attempt it is to write from my viewpoint as a child of a mother. Another way to write about it is through listening, watching and observing the Mothers around me. Yet another way is to consider the varied qualities and roles that ‘Mothers’ play in the world. Let me dive in and try a blend of all of the above.

The biological mother is the physical reason for our being, the conveyor of our existence. All of us have a connection to her through blood, tissue, genetics, and in most cases, nurture and nutrition. From a woman’s perspective, becoming a mother (or wanting to be one) requires a complex investment of physical, emotional, mental and financial energy. My own mother told me the stories of her challenges of getting married at nineteen, and then almost dying while giving birth to my older brother within a year. I often wonder – how would have her life been different if she hadn’t been handed the Mother role at that age? Yes, her three children were her great pride and joy, and yet the way she talked about her dreams, I sometimes wonder – what more could she have accomplished in life if she had had more ‘freedom’ in her role? Do you ever wonder the same about your biological mother?

There are many whose lives have had little influence of their biological mothers. For them, grandparents, fathers, foster parents and even teachers, may have taken over the traditional ‘mother’ role of nurturing, caring and loving. What is the perspective of those children and their ‘mothers’? I happened to stumble upon this perspective through my neighbor’s writing this week. It is titled “The Strength of Surrender” – I invite you to read her powerful story where she says that ‘Courage is a Mother’s first name’. Yes, the perspective of courage can often be overlooked by those who have lived through an ‘ideal’ upbringing – if there is even such a thing as ‘ideal’.

Yet another perspective on Mothers and children is that if the “Universal Mother”. I often refer to “Mother Earth” or “Gaia” as the one that provides unlimited and unconditional love and caring to humans, animals and plants alike. Mother Earth’s various energies manifest in diverse ways, recognizing and filling the needs of growth, development and healing for all her beings. The Universal Mother evokes a perspective of deep gratitude within me – what m’a your perspective on her?

The fourth perspective I would like to present for your consideration is that of the Divine Mother. For me, She represents the ultimate ‘safe harbor’, the ever available giver of warmth, understanding and forgiveness, the fountainhead showering constant love, and the firmament of grace and protection for her beloved children. Every instance of remembrance of such a Divine Mother has the tendency to fill me with light, lightness and joy. How about you? Do you have a similar perspective about her existence, her presence in your life?

I realize that I may not have covered all the perspectives of Mothers today. In fact, it isn’t possible to do so. There are those for whom the Mother perspective is that of pain, suffering, estrangement and more. There are those who have lost a Mother, and Mothers who may have lost children recently. There are those…

My hope and prayer is that whatever your perspective on Mothers may be, may it in some way eventually help you walk towards more love, more light, more healing and more living.

Namaste,

Kumud

P.S. Join us in our weekly chat, Sunday May 9 at 9am ET / 630pm India with the #SpiritChat family on Twitter. I will bring some of my Mom’s favorite chai and snacks – @AjmaniK

On Fostering and Love

14 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by AjmaniK in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

fathering, fathers, fostering

All over the World, at different times and on different days Fathers are revered for their role in the Family and society at large. In the U.S. that day is the 3rd Sunday in June. According to one dictionary, “Father” is defined as:

Noun
1. a male parent.
2. a father-in-law, stepfather, or adoptive father.
3. any male ancestor, especially the founder of a race, family, or line; progenitor.
4. a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider

Yet as with any word there are gaps in the definition that may not reflect the current role 9 (or gender of the person fulfilling this role).

The word “Foster” is defined as:
Verb (used with object)
1. To promote the growth or development of; further; encourage: to foster new ideas.
2. To bring up, raise, or rear, as a foster child.
3. To care for or cherish.

Through the last 10 years my wife and I have had the unique pleasure of Fostering 23 children and adopting 4. All different ages, ethnicities and genders have passed through our home and hearts teaching us as we taught them.

I’d invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on the current role of a Father as well as a look into how, if at all, it has evolved. Are we moving toward a more enlightened time were gender is less of a factor in Parenting than role? How do our interactions with our own Fathers influence our perceptions and is that good or restrictive? If promoting the growth of others is a type of Fostering, how can we incorporate it into our daily spiritual regimen?

As herculean as this task may be through the limited scope of 140 characters, I invite you to join in the #SpiritChat discussion to share your thoughts on “Fostering and Love” on Sunday, June 15th at 9am ET / 1pm GMT / 2pm UK / 6:30pm India. Thank you.

Bryan

Bryan Armstrong is and Leadership, Management and Marketing Consultant specializing in the Automotive Industry; A determined, disciplined pragmatist who has excelled in today’s challenging retail atmosphere. Combining creativity, innovation and perfection of process to knock both strategic and tactical home runs and maximize profit both in sales and fixed ops. An early adopter and evangelist of ‘Transparency” and “Servant Leadership” before either were Industry buzzwords.

Feel free to reach out and connect:

Bryan Armstrong

bryanthecarguy@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanarmstrong
https://twitter.com/bryancarguy

Join our special co-host Bryan Armstrong on June 15th, as part of our guest host series of twitter chats in #SpiritChat. Bryan has been a long time participant and supporter of the community of #SpiritChat folks – than you, Bryan!

The complete transcript for the chat is available at bit.ly/sc-tr-0615 and the hand-crafted storify summary is available at http://sfy.co/ajMk – Enjoy! 

Here are the questions asked during the chat…

Q1. What feelings or emotions does the word “Foster” evoke for you? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q2. Is a close personal or biological relationship necessary to foster someone? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q3. What role if any does gender play in the type of fostering we do or ways we express love? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q4. What role if any did your own Father have in your growth? Has that impacted the way you parent/foster? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q5. What is the connection between forgiveness and Love? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q6. Is love a necessary component of effective fostering? Why or why not? v/@bryancarguy  #spiritchat

Q7. What is the primary motivation behind your desire to ‘foster’ others? v/@bryancarguy  #spiritchat

Q8. Is it important that the person being fostered knows your motive(s)? Why or why not? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q9. What is the tipping point at which “foster” becomes “family” (in name or thought)? v/@bryancarguy #spiritchat

Q10. Share what steps you can take to promote the growth (foster) someone this week. v/@bryancarguy #SpiritChat

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