Heroic Mama

Hi there! I want to share the Four Agreements with you today so you can have more personal freedom. These are from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements . If you have not read the book yet, I am thrilled to share with you this big idea because I firmly believe that adhering to these four agreements could change your life. These are as follows: 1st Agreement: Be impeccable with your words. “The first agreement is the most important one and also the most difficult one to honor. It is so important that with just this first agreement you will be able to transcend to the level of existence I call heaven on earth. The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. It sounds very simple, but it is very, very powerful.” The word impeccable has a root. The word “impeccabilis” originates from the Latin “im-” (not) + peccare (“to err, to sin”). Implies not to sin, literally. When we speak without sin, we speak to ourselves and to others with words that are positive and empowering. We d...

Photo by Chema Photo on Unsplash As new mothers, the journey of welcoming a baby into our lives is both rewarding and transformative. It can be too easy to forget about our well-being as we pour our energy into caring for our newborns. Yet, it is precisely during this time that practicing self-care is very important so we can be the best possible caregivers to our little ones. Our body has gone through many stresses from pregnancy and labor, and it is super important to take care of ourselves after giving birth so we will rebuild our strength, avoid any medical complications, and improve our overall well-being. Here are some self-care habits I practiced as a new mom that helped me recover fast, boosted my energy, and eased postpartum stress, which I highly recommend to other moms. 1. Get plenty of sleep and rest. Sleep is my number 1 self-care habit. With the newborn, getting a good night's sleep is not easy. Whenever I have the opportunity to sleep, I sleep. In Japan, it is a tra...

Koinobori or carp streamers in the park. Photo from the Author. Last Sunday, my family and I went to the local park, expecting a typical day of relaxation. To our surprise, the park was buzzing with activity — the vibrant colors of koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks), music, food stalls, games, and cheerful families filled the space. It was Japan’s annual Children’s Day celebration, a festive occasion that promotes the happiness and uniqueness of children. We might have missed this fun event if we hadn’t gone to the park, Children’s Day, observed on May 5th, is a time to reflect on the joys of childhood and the qualities we hope to foster in our children, such as courage and determination. The koinobori symbolize these traits, inspiring children to grow strong and healthy. As a parent, we can learn a lot from children. They approach the world with fresh eyes, endless curiosity, and a playful spirit. Here are the top three lessons I’ve learned from my one-year-old daughter that remind me ...

Photo by Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash Good morning, everyone! As I took my breakfast today, I tuned into an interview with Dr. Timothy A. Pychyl, a leading authority on procrastination. His words hit home: procrastination is a challenge that many of us face, whether we're students, professionals, or parents juggling a busy life.   Everyone procrastinates. It is seen in many cultures worldwide. In the Philippines, there's a term known as the "Mañana habit," which describes the tendency to put off tasks until tomorrow or later. The phrase comes from the Spanish word "mañana," meaning tomorrow. We often delay tasks until non-urgent tasks become urgent, creating a mountain of to-dos that has to be completed in a rush. While some people claim to perform well under pressure, that's not true for most of us, myself included.   Working under pressure can cause significant stress and anxiety, affecting the quality of your work. As a result, you might make more ...