"But I'm a Mom."

I've said those four words many times. Perhaps you have too. 

It's not an empty statement; Motherhood is the ultimate standard for full-time occupation. Who else is on call 24/7/365, ready to meet her child's every need? Who else will eat her kid's half-eaten food, will clean up mess after mess after mess, and will stubbornly ignore how many collective hours of sleep she's lost in helping her child reach dreamland? 

Motherhood is hard, but there's nothing like its rewards. Our children's little smiles and giggles or their newly reached milestones flood us with joy, and the little moments of bonding remind us of how blessed we are to be Moms.

But then there are those moments when something shoots a pang of longing through our hearts. A longing for more. Sometimes it's a false pang fabricated by our guilt-driven, "Mommy Wars" society that loves to tell us that, for whatever reason, we're not good enough as Moms. Those pangs are better off being ignored. 

But other times, that longing is real, from deep within.

What some Moms don't talk about, whether it'a because they are too busy to bother mulling over it or out of despair that things won't change, is that we are all more than Moms. 

Yes, some might call that statement impertinent. More than a Mom? Isn't parenthood supposed to be one of the highest callings of human existence? Aren't our kids our greatest life work? Is the rest really that important?

Yes. It is.

You are a Mom - a brilliant, patient, unconditionally loving vessel, offering your child their first knowledge of what love and goodness means. 

But that is just one of many facets in the jewel you wear on your chest called your Identity. And while your facet of Mom is surely shining bright, maybe those other facets aren't so polished. But they're there, ready to shine your inner light through. A one faceted jewel doesn't sparkle much, but multiple facets allow for true radiance.

I am starting this blog because I am DONE with hearing my heart repeat those same four, tired old words. I am a Mom, and I am so much more. Dozens of dreams are clawing at me from inside, urging me to participate in this life with much more profundity. 

This blog is not only to hold myself accountable for kicking that phrase to the curb, but to help you do the same. Together, we can infuse our world with many shining facets, and shine forth the light this world so desperately needs. 

Yours.

So tell me - what else are you? 

What do you feel passionate about?

What do you love that you used to do, or perhaps you've had to put aside for now?

What songs, stories or messages do you carry inside that you'd love to share with the world? 

I'd be honored to hear from you.