What empowers a stay-at-home mom? Is it when the home is managed well and the kids are doing great? Or does ticking off items on the proverbial to-do list gives a sense of satisfaction? What do you do when all the chores are done, kids are at school and you’re left at home?
“After taking her boys to school, Brenda, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom, drove to the park for her morning run. After a quick shower at home, she is off again for errands. By 11 A.M. she was already heating leftover food at home. As she was scrolling down her phone waiting for her lunch, her eyes grew big. Her high school classmate opened an art exhibit in the area. Although Brenda was happy for her she felt a little envious. How did she do it? Where did she even find the time?”
Have you ever considered taking a class, learning a skill or rekindling a forgotten talent? You might say, “Oh, I have no time for that,” or “I’m too old to learn new skills.”
Venchito Tampon Jr, in his book, Career Crossover shares that:
“Our brain changes as we learn. This is called neuroplasticity. This means that our brain continuously changes and grow as we learn new things. When we learn something new, our brain makes new connections.”
Skill or Talent, is there a difference?
A skill is something you learn or develop over time. Some skills are self-taught like playing the guitar or calligraphy. I had to relearn how to crochet by watching videos on YouTube. But if I want to take crocheting or whatever skill to the next level, I have to join workshops or training. I have to dedicate a portion of my time mastering the skill.
A talent is inborn. God chooses a specific gift to give each one of us for a higher purpose. It may be the gift of performing in front of a big audience or a talent that creates masterpieces using a blank canvas and paint. Gifts/Talents are not forced. You simply have it in you.
The talents or skills do not develop on their own. We need to enhance our talent and improve our skills. Continuous practice, determination, money, and time are key elements in enriching what we have and don’t have — yet. It is impossible to be good at something if we sit around all day doing nothing.
Business leaders and influencers often attribute continuous learning to their success. You never stop learning, they say. There is always room for improvement and initiate change. Get rid of complacency and status quo.
Mahatma Gandhi says:
“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I can’t do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
How do I know what skill or talent to develop?
Start with what interests you the most. What are the things you want to do or learn more about? Are you a fan of famous photographers like Anne Geddes or Steve McCurry? Have you been eager to try the recipes you see on Tasty and Delish?
Did you play any musical instrument when you were younger? Why not open that guitar case and start strumming again? Have you forgotten that you used to spend countless hours perfecting that artwork on canvas? Pick up that palette and paint the afternoon away.
Somehow because of the season of your life, you may have lost interest in learning new things because you were too focused on being a wife, mother, and raising a family. You probably quit your job to embrace your new role as wife and mom. Your priorities changed when you decided to be a homemaker. But the truth is children grow up. Over they years, if we teach them well, they will be independent and not be relying on Mommy for just about anything. This is the perfect time to say, “What about me?” What about my personal growth? What am I still capable of doing?”
But the truth is children grow up. Over they years, if we teach them well, they will be independent and not be relying on Mommy for just about anything. This is the perfect time to say, “What about me?” What about my personal growth? What am I still capable of doing?”
Proverbs 31 Woman today
Are you familiar with the Proverbs 31 woman? Is this woman for real? She is the epitome of the ideal wife/mother. Do I dare compare my life with hers? No! But the Lord put this woman in the Bible to encourage us as we daily do our duties as wives and mothers.
She is a very busy woman. Her husband, children, and maidservants are well taken care of. She diligently runs her household and her home business. Her hands are tired from working day and night. Yet she even has time for some charity work.
She is the manager of her home, like most of us Stay-at-home or Work-at-home moms. In verse 27, the Bible says, “She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
She is wise. This woman always has something to do and manages her time well. Idleness is not something she is known for. She makes time for everything in her life.
My story
After attending a retreat, the Lord has rekindled my desire to write again. After some time, I enrolled in a writing class by Jenny Orillos and Carlomar Daona of Designed by Words Writing Workshop. I signed up and attended other writing and blogging workshops. I am applying the lessons I learned from these workshops in my blog and my writing work.
My goal is to become a better writer. I make it a point to study and practice regularly. I have a lot to learn and looking forward to more practical tips on becoming better at my craft.
Now what?
Have you thought about your interests? Let me help you on that. Here are some classes that you could check out to help you decide which skill you want to develop.
- CraftMNL is a community of crafters and creatives. They regularly hold workshops on Soap Making, Sewing, Crochet, Leather Crafting, Painting, Sculpting, Stamp Carving, Papercrafts, Money Matters, Polymer Clay etc. The studio is Pamana-Languages Building), 926 Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati. They are behind the New World Hotel. Contact number: (02) 7445509. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
- Heny Sison Culinary School. Who is not familiar with Heny Sison? The famed pastry chef of local celebrities has a school for up and coming chefs. They have the Cake Decorating series, short courses on Japanese cooking, Sausage Making, Pies, Pastas and Bottled Food preparation. The school is Facebook page and Instagram account.
- Manila Workshops was established by Ginger Palma-Arboleda as a venue for continuous learning. They hold seminars and workshops on entrepreneurship, freelancing, and for personal development. The topics vary from Work-at-Home and Freelancing, Starting up your own business, Basic Yaya Training, Finance and Investments, Health and Fitness, etc. I am looking forward to attending next week’s SEO for Bloggers Workshop.
- Bible Study Fellowship. This is an international training center that teaches the Bible to all denominations. In Manila, we have classes day and evening classes for Men, Women and children. Every season (August to April) one book of the Bible is being studied.
Let us have that desire to continue learning and improving ourselves. Learning is not limited by age. Motherhood shouldn’t be a hindrance to our personal growth. We should look at our families as inspiration and not stand in our way. We empower ourselves not to prove something to our husbands, friends or family, we empower so we can be a better version of ourselves.
