Essence of a Mother: Being Conscious of the Sacred Moments of Motherhood - Hardcover

"Well-intentioned mothers everywhere feel exhausted, ineffective, and out of touch with their children. We have unknowingly and unwittingly become a culture caught up in the busyness of doing more and having more; leaving behind what is truly important in raising happy, successful, conscious children. Julie's inspiring book provides simple truths to achieving genuine happiness within our families while raising a generation of children who will express kindness, compassion, generosity, and love." -Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul (R)"The Essence of Mother is a beautiful, meaningful book that celebrates being a conscious mother. I especially liked the chapter on giving your children an opportunity for service, which helps them develop empathy for others. This is something we value in my own family, and as a mother I think it's important to nurture this habit in children. Jensen's book is full of wise gems like this one." -Loren Slocum, author of Life Tuneups"Julie Jensen has written a beautiful book about the relationship between mother and child. Her words are filled with wisdom not only for mothers but for all of us who have the chance to influence a child's life. This book is a must-read!" -Jane Handly, author of The Life Plus Program for Getting Unstuck and Why Women Worry and How to Stop"Julie Jensen has authored a gem of a book about how to consciously parent, cutting straight to the heart of what you need to know to set your child up to live a meaningful, empowered and impactful life. This book belongs in the collection of every well-intentioned mother." -Katherine Woodward Thomas, author of Calling in "The One" and co-founder of the Feminine Power Global Community"This book examines what is really important in life-relationships with our children and those we love. It is incumbent upon all of us to raise the next generation to extend kindness, compassion, and love. The Essence of a Mother provides useful tools for creating and nurturing a loving home environment and successful family bonds." -Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Writer and Director "What does being a mother mean to you? Do you envision a happy, well-adjusted family, a spotless house, home-cooked meals every night? That's what author Julie Jensen used to strive for, until multiple sclerosis robbed her of the ability to keep up with the physical demands she had been imposing on herself. With less ability to do and more time to think, Jensen spent many hours delving into the meaning of her life. Over time, she realized that being a mother means so much more than just being able to be productive, and her musings on the subject are gathered in The Essence of a Mother. In this book, which would make a fantastic present for Mother's Day or any holiday, Jensen describes a series of essential traits for being a truly conscious mother, including valuing being together, taking it slow, being introspective, and, of course, loving unconditionally. Filled with personal anecdotes, other interesting little stories, and an abundance of inspirational quotes, this book will give you something to think about no matter how many children you have, no matter where you are in your mothering journey." -San Francisco Book Review

Julie Jensen used to believe that mothering meant being on task--making homemade cupcakes for school birthday parties, chauffeuring her kids to all of their various activities, and so on. But as her Multiple Sclerosis progressed, she was no longer physically able to keep up, and she watched one role after another slip away. It forced her to look inside: Was her value just her physical body and her ability to do and be productive? Julie soon realized that these activities were far less important than she ever imagined and that the true source of her power came from within. Her children simply needed to be close to her to feel connected. Far too much emphasis is placed on doing and not enough on being. A mother's real purpose is to endow her children with a deep understanding of connection, love, self-esteem, and compassion while reinforcing the importance of human values. In her heartfelt, encouraging book, Julie shares the lessons she has learned about fostering self-reliance, taking it slow, cultivating radiance, adopting an attitude of gratitude, and being mindful.