Weekly Spark #244: Happy Mother's Day!
Welcome to The Weekly Spark, my weekly newsletter featuring insights on mental and physical wellness, intentional living, and personal development. Since September 2020, I’ve published 244 reflections hoping to motivate myself and others to live more thoughtful, purpose-driven lives.
Every year on Mother’s Day, I enjoy honoring my mom and reflecting on all that she has done for me, Colin, and Evan. I find myself reflecting on her most impactful teachings and while I could just copy and paste the Weekly Spark from previous years, I can always find new angles of things that she’s taught us that are relevant for others. Of course, a few of her timeless teachings are just as powerful, and the annual reminder will persist for yet another year: Do good things. Be kind. Be content. Life is all about the people.
This year, I find myself thinking about a theme that has been recurring in many of our recent conversations: simplicity. More money. Bigger houses. More materials. More status. The world is chasing more all the time. It’s becoming increasingly complex and there’s a rampant desire for more. For what? Where does that really get you? If you get caught up in that chase, as soon as you get the XXX car, you just want the next. As soon as you get the YYY house, you just want one twice as big. Slippery slope. It’s all over TV. It’s all over social media. Does it lead to happiness? I’ve never seen a happy person who is trying to keep up with the Joneses. I’ve never seen a legitimately and authentically happy person who derives most of their value and fulfillment in physical things. That’s not to say they don’t exist, I just haven’t met them (and I’ve met a lot of people). This goes back to the theme of life being all about the people, where we say: people are the currency of life. We talk a lot about finding peace and contentment in the simple, little things: quality time with good friends and family, being grateful for being able to pay the grocery bill that week, enjoying a nice simple meal and space for connection, walks around the neighborhood, and need I say again: people. It’s one thing to talk about and another thing to live by. I’ve watched my mom live a simple, values-based lifestyle for our entire lives and it’s something that I certainly admire and strive for.
This leads to the next important state: contentment. We talk about this all the time. What does that really mean? It’s an emotional state of satisfaction, feeling comfortable with who you are and where you’re at. You are enough and you have enough. It’s always important to draw a distinction between being content and being complacent, as the two are not synonymous and often confused. Complacency is “easing up” and resting on your laurels. From a contentment standpoint, there’s a certain wave of peace and serenity that comes with it. As I strive for the next things professionally, I try to keep this in mind (though it’s never easy). You can tell when you are talking to someone who is content with their life and my mom is one of those people. It’s a feeling that I continue to work towards (and we have made progress on), and is always a work in progress.
What are some of the most important lessons that your mom taught you? What are meaningful themes that she lived by? Mother’s Day is a great time to reflect on lesson’s that our moms taught us and the best way to honor her is to live them out and stay true to her teachings.
Another great lesson: moms will do ANYTHING for their kids. Pictured above is my mom recently driving a big Enterprise van moving me out of my apartment (always the big mover at my dorms and apartments); I think the step-down was about as tall as she is…
Mental Diet
📚What I’m Reading: The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
Podcasts of the Week:
Candlelight Conversations Podcast Episode 15: Mother's Day Special #2
Candlelight Conversations Podcast Episode 2: Mother's Day Special
When my mom came on the Candlelight Conversations podcast the first time at Mother’s Day 2020, it was a hit, so good that we had to bring her back again. Two short shows that give a better perspective on some of her most important life lessons and teachings for me and my brothers.
Quote of the Week:
I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. If you are enjoying The Weekly Spark, please share with a friend, family member, or coworker who you think might benefit. If you have thoughts, comments, or feedback, please reply to this email and share them; I’d love to hear from you! Until next time… Take care of yourself and take care of each other. 🙏
Nathan
