Another Mother’s Day is upon us. A day in which our loved ones bestow us with handmade gifts, breakfast in bed, supper out and sometimes even jewelry!!! It is a day for our family to show how much they appreciate job we do.

I remember after my first child was born, I developed this deep respect for other mothers and immediately felt connected to all of them. I felt a bond that only strengthened further into motherhood I went.

So on this very special weekend, I want to honor, not only my own mother, but all mothers. You hold a very special place in my heart and I know first hand challenges and rewards that we experience on a daily basis. Motherhood is several professions rolled up in to one; nurse, teacher, housekeeper, referee, cook, manager and many more. The pay is poor but benefits are best.

"I'm not worried about what I want; I just want to make sure that everyone else has what they want."

It's an unspoken chorus of women who have been raised to believe that being "selfless" is their greatest gift to world.

Underneath it lurks a great fear.

"If my family knew how I really feel or if I insisted on what I want, they would stop loving me!"

As women, many of us were taught that being valued by others means leaving ourselves behind. We quickly learn to act in ways that are inconsistent with our own beliefs and feelings in order to avoid displeasing people whom we love and need. What a paradox! For in order to be truly valued by another, we must present an authentic self, not a façade designed to avoid rejection. Authenticity is sine qua non of true connection with others, and yet it is our fear of disconnection that drives us to hide our real thoughts and feelings, i.e. to reject ourselves. What a joy to suddenly understand that fully becoming person you are meant to be is actually very best way to serve others!