If you know me well, you know how much I love Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wildly popular, original Broadway production that debuted in January 2015. I’ve attended two live performances of the musical. And now I can watch it literally every single day from my living room couch. As I’ve gotten to watch it at my own pace, I’ve picked up on many lessons that can be applied to life. Some of these lessons have come from just a single song. The lyrics in “My Shot,” the third song in the musical, is one example.
“I am not throwing away my shot”
When opportunities come at you as a mom, take a shot at them. These opportunities may be seemingly minor, like changing up a family routine. Or, they can be life-changing, like deciding to leave a job to stay home or work from home. Living with regrets in life is not fun.
There are opportunities that life threw my way that I missed out on because I was worried that I’d fail. Or, that I would mess up. Or, that I wasn’t qualified enough to be successful. Take the shot; and you will fail or succeed. Either way, you – and your kid(s) – will inevitably learn something from the experience.
“I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal
Tryin’ to reach my goal…”
While the old adage that diamonds come from coal is not scientifically accurate, we’ll go along with it. Despite what social media may have you believe, none of us on this motherhood journey has it all together all the time. We are all diamonds in the rough. The process that creates a diamond requires an immense amount of pressure. And, oh the pressure we experience in motherhood!
Some of us are brand new, dull pieces of coal mamas just trying to reach the goal of getting in a shower in between feedings and diaper changes. Some of us are further in the process as shinier pieces of coal and our goal is to balance the pressures of work and kids’ schedules. Some are seasoned, yet still imperfect diamonds who have adult children and are trying to find our place in their lives as adults. Keep reaching for that goal, Mama. Even in the imperfection. Do it all knowing that your kid(s) will see you as a diamond, no matter how rough you may feel.
“Rise up.
When you’re living on your knees, you rise up
Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up
Tell your sister that she’s gotta rise up”
Be an encourager and a cheerleader for those other mamas and even for yourself. There are times when you and your mama friends are facing difficulties and challenges in this journey. While we may not always be able to change our circumstances or those our fellow mamas are experiencing, we can ask for and offer up support to one another. Motherhood is hard and it will most certainly bring you to your knees at times. Don’t stay on your knees. Rise up, Mama!
