Moleskine Celebrates Motherhood

I’ve always kept a diary or a journal.

As a young girl, my father gifted me my first diary for me to record my thoughts, hopes, fears, dreams and aspirations. As I got older, I referred to my safely guarded thoughts in my journals to gauge my growth as an individual, or mark patterns in my relationships.

Just a few months before I met Nino, I remember writing in my journal all the characteristics I wanted to find in the man of my dreams. I listed these characteristics in bullet pointed form, as if it would be a simple process to check off each one of the virtues that I wanted my future husband to possess.

Now, that I have been blogging for almost 4 years, I know that the thoughts and stories I share here on the blog with all of you, are somewhat of a journal as well. This online journal not only marks the growth and experiences I am blessed with as a mother, but it also serves as a point of reference for my children. It will be here for them to look back on when they are older. Hopefully, they won’t mind too much that I have shared parts of them and my relationships with them, while sharing parts of myself in the process.

Even if I share small tidbits of what our lives are like here on your screen through my own keyboard, there are still so many parts of our family, and my thoughts that I keep for myself. These memories, thoughts, and blessings to ponder, find their home in my handwritten journals for each of the kids, and even for myself.  

Moleskine journals, notebooks and planners are the perfect partners for me to write these personal reflections in for safe keeping. 

TRUTH:

I love notebooks and pens. I have a whole bunch of new notebooks and journals that have yet to be cracked open. I’m talking hoarder levels. I know. It’s so NOT Marie Kondo, but if it brings me a little bit of happiness and joy to see them, then it still is Kondo-like, right?

I think my biggest take away from the day was during Rica’s talk. She shared 4 tips on how she comes back to center when work, motherhood, and the business of every day life has her feeling off kilter. She shared her four R’s and I found them very helpful.

Ordering the Heart

by: Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio

Recreation

“Dr. Winnicott, who first used the term ‘good enough parenting,’ believed that having a creative hobby is to adults what play is to children. A hobby provides a creative outlet and can help you formulate your feelings.”

My Takeaway: Take time for myself. Craft. Cook. Find something that makes me happy and sparks creativity. 

Relaxation

My Takeaway: If I take time for my mani-pedi, or to read a book, or even just to take a walk by myself, I can come back to the house and the kids feeling fresh and calm. 

Relationships

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

My Takeaway: There are two take aways for me in this one. Of course the most important relationship I want to invest in is with my husband. We take time for one another to nurture each other and meet each others’ needs. But I have other relationships that are important in my life as well. These are with my sisters. Those that are given to me by my mother, and those that I am tied to in motherhood.

Reflection

“We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.” 

(C.S. Lewis)

Ah. This one I am very good at. I can take time to reflect. I can take time to pray. I can take time to write here on the blog, to journal, and to read books that cause me to pause, evaluate, and be grateful.

 

As we have closed out Mother’s Month, I am grateful for Moleskine Philippines and my friend Dara for inviting me for this afternoon celebrating Motherhood. It was a lovely event, which left me feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected to so many of the other (SUPER) Mommas who joined in this celebration of the most important jobs we have in the world.

As a mother, I know that it is not just my job to raise conscientious giving children who will later grow up to contribute to society in a positive and real way, it is to do this with the intention that they will some day share the gift of LOVE and goodness with others as well.

I do this by being mindful. Coming away from an event like this brings me back to center, helps me be more mindful and  causes me to reflect through my journaling, whether here online, or through the handwritten journal entries I have collected for my children. 

Thank you Moleskine for helping me in my Mindful Motherhood Journey. My time together with the other Mindful Mommas in Vask was not only a much needed respite from the daily grind, it was inspiring, uplifting, and enlightening.

Today, the Moleskine brand encompasses a family of objects: notebooks, diaries, journals, bags, writing instruments and reading accessories, to enhance productivity and creativity in our nomadic lives. Check out Moleskine Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, or their online store www.store.lifestylebrands.com.ph

All photos used in this post are from Sheila Catilo