Mother's Day: Finding that Perfect Cup of Tea

Mother’s Day is here again, and it was exactly a year ago this week, I joined the Patch Local Voices team, with my first article honoring moms by offering them a toast and reminder that taking care of ourselves is both unselfish and necessary (and should happen more than just once a year)!

The importance of self-care is still a very central part of my message, and reminds me of a Buddhist story I’ve revised and share in my classes about the mama who feels overwhelmed with life’s daily demands.  She sets off to find the wise teacher who holds the secret to finding peace and fulfillment, and when she arrives, the teacher begins by serving tea.  The teacher pours the tea into the mama’s cup, and continues pouring, even as the cup overflows and begins spilling everywhere.  “The cup is too full--no more will go in!” exclaims the mama.  “Exactly,” smiled the teacher.  “The cup is like your life--how can you expect to find peace when it overflows with too many things?”

As the story reminds us, taking a little time for ourselves, helps us to reflect upon all that fills our lives (teacups), so that we can empty those cups of all aspects that don’t serve our goals and values, for ourselves and our families.  This message of emptying our cups  has always resonated for me, both as a busy mama myself and through my discussions with hundreds of mamas over the years.  

That’s why I am excited to announce the creation of MamaTime (http://www.mama-time.com) an organization I co-founded, that creates local retreats to help busy mamas Connect (with themselves and others), Reflect (on relevant topics), and Refuel (with delectable food and pampering).  

So for Mother’s Day this year, I would like to invite all mamas who could use some time to relax, exhale, and explore these aspects in their lives, to consider giving themselves the gift of attending our first annual Mama’s Day Getaway (which is also a great idea for every partner of a mama scrambling to find the right present)! 

This MamaTime all day retreat will be held at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Huntington Beach, on May 19, the Saturday after Mother's Day, and offers plenty of opportunities to refill our cups in healthy and delicious ways. Check out all the details, including a price break prior to Mother's Day, at: (http://www.pingg.com/y3k7rx6zyniy5izff).

Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, whatever you do, and may it lead to an intentional, nurturing routine of pampering and self-care, throughout the year!

Shaila Saint is a Belmont Shore parent and child-development teacher at Long Beach City College, where she's helped hundreds of local parents. She also teaches yoga for parents and blogs at Mindful-Parenting.com. This year she co-founded MamaTime, and the Patch editor keeps trying to make her meditation and fruity tarts mornings at Marine Vista Park.