Drinking Starbucks the other day, I read their mission statement, "Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."
I was fascinated with the word nurture, thinking how clever! doesn't everyone need some nurturing in their life? Someone who cares about them, takes time for them, shows a little warm kindness?
Then I thought (thinker that I am) about my own life. Yes, I care deeply about others, but I also have times when I think a little bit too much about myself. I want to be comfortable. I want to have everything in order. I want my kids to act a certain way.
Like tonight when it took my daughter and I twenty minutes to agree on her outfit for school tomorrow. I insisted that a neon-orange skirt does not match a black and hot-pink t-shirt. Madelynn had a differing opinion. A rust-colored dress decorated with fall leaves hung on the doorknob of her closet. I pointed to it as way of compromise.
Madelynn crinkled her nose and said, "I don't like that one. I will wear it when I'm six…or seven. I will probably like it then."
Our truce was the bright yellow t-shirt that Madelynn guaranteed me matches the neon-orange skirt. Truth is she wore me out. I nodded. She crawled in bed with a smile. And I was glad she was satisfied. Isn't that the rule of fashion, one should feel good in what they wear?
I'm thinking about writing a mission statement for my life. Something like: A mom who nurtures and inspires one kid at a time–and allows her children to wear things that don't match.
What's your mission statement? I'd love to read them.
