I breathe in the daily frustrations

small as they are, big as they can seem

I breath out patience for us all.

I breathe in the loneliness

of days spent mothering on our own

I breathe out connection

community, compassion.

I breathe in the brokenness

not being enough in the world

I breathe out wholeness

leaving ideals behind, truth.

I breathe in the boredom

diapers, cooking, same every day

I breathe out simple pleasure

swings, finger painting, rocks.

I breathe in the exhaustion,

the worry, the fear

I breathe out the calm energy, excitement.

I breathe in the rage

at your plight, your place, your life

I breathe out peace

contentment, courage.

* Tonglen is a traditional Buddhist practice of compassion. In order to have compassion for ourselves, we cultivate it for others. We take in the difficult parts of mothering, for ourselves and for all mothers and send out compassion and love.