I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will

Charlotte Mason's motto for students was, "I am, I can, I ought, I will." That statement really touched my heart from the very first time that I read anything about Charlotte Mason. Incidentally, when I pass to the next life, I hope that I get to meet Charlotte Mason, because I want to thank her for giving me so much to do and think about. With my scattered thought process, I determined this morning, that "I am, I can, I ought, I will," is just as important to mothers as it is to students. Why? For starters, why do we get up in the morning and do anything? I, for one, am not only a housewife, but I'm self employed. Nobody sounds an alarm to get me up in the morning (except for the new Princess Ivana). I don't have an obligation to get dressed up to go to a job at a certain time of the day. As a homeschooler, I don't have to hurry and get my kids up and out the door before a school bell rings. My schedule gets to be somewhat hectic, but aside from doctor's appointments (and even THOSE can often be negotiated), everything on my calendar was consciously chosen to be added as something that we want to do, rather than anything that we have to do. It really is a wonderful life. It would be all too easy to sleep in, play instead of having lessons, and surf the web instead of doing those activities that earn money. I AM a mother, housewife, Girl Scout leader, baton twirling teacher, small business owner, homeschooling mother, and wife. I CAN get up every day and make a conscious effort to do those things that need to be done for my health, my family and my business. I OUGHT to resist the urge to compare myself to other mothers and their seemingly greater accomplishments. I WILL do as much as I can possibly do, each and every day, for the benefit of all who are depending on me. I AM a child of God, with four daughters of the king in my charge. I CAN rise up to the challenge that was given to me with each individual princess. I OUGHT to live as a creative person rather than a reactive person. I WILL appreciate the privilege of being a keeper at home, and make this a place of love and learning. I can't think of a better recipe for happiness than, "I am, I can, I ought, I will." Love always, Laurel