Mom.

The word ‘mom’ can mean so much. We use it to call a person in our lives, but it  represents so much more than a person. It invokes thoughts of love, protection, caring and—ultimately—a person or persons you know you can count on.

The name ‘mom’ is not given to one after having a child (you’re a mother at that moment, but not always a mom); it is an ongoing choice to act in a way that inspires young people to reach higher than they thought they could, to stand tall and not take shit from anyone. 

I grew up with a single mom, who, as a child, immigrated to Canada during WWII. It wasn’t easy for her, especially working to provide for four boys. She always worked hard to teach us values that matter—values like respect, hard work, caring for others around you, that your actions and words mean something. I grew up always knowing I needed to care about others, and her selfless actions instilled a deep sense of social justice. 

If the world today had a little more “mom love” from everyone, it would be a place we all could trust to run freely with our imaginations, to create new thoughts and inspire others. “Mom love” is that unconditional love for those around you, to put out a hand when someone is down, to give up your food to someone who is hungry, and to give the jacket off your back to shelter from the cold.

For that, I am going to share the top five things I learned from my mom.

• You choose how you feel and react. You can’t stop people from trying to hurt you, but you can stop them from being successful at it.

• Even if those people somehow hurt you, don’t let it linger. When you forgive, you get a chance put your energy into something positive.

• Be positive. Life opens so many small doors of opportunity, but you can only see them if you're looking up.

• Stand up for yourself. Life might give you lemons, and you can make lemonade, or you can throw them back at life and find a fruit you love. Throw the lemons back!

• Find your passion. If you are doing what you love, everyone around you will feel it. Passion comes in so many expressions. In work, in life and in love. Find that flame and make it glow, babe.

Today let’s turn MOM on its head with the love we have and make the world say WOW.

To all the moms, stepmoms, aunts, friends or anyone who loves others with no expectation of anything in return…

Thank you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

by Phil lebeau