Hipness: Why my mum deserves a made up word
Young gun Niven Patel took up the call and got his whole lifegroup involved in WM's #SheEmbodies campaign! Check out what Niv has to say about honour, strong women and making up the word 'hipness' 'cause his mother is actually just that epic.
'Your mum is so cool!'
That's an expression I hear many times when any of my mates meet my dear mother. At first I play it off like any son or daughter would with a 'Naaah, she's not really...' out of embarrassment. However, every time I tend to reflect on these conversations, I can't help but think 'Yeah. I do have a pretty cool mum.'
If you happen to follow the work of the Salvation Army Women's Ministries, you would have seen the #SheEmbodies project taking over your newsfeed leading into Mother's Day this weekend!
Interviewing people on Wellington's streets, the question was posed; 'What does your mother or a significant mother figure special to you embody?'
In other words, what does she personify in her every day life? 'Humans of New York' style snapshots on Women's Ministries Instagram and Facebook followed, with the answers of some Welly locals (check out the pictures here!).
Personally, I was pretty inspired by this!
#SheEmbodies in Miramar
At our young adults homegroup here in Miramar, I invited our group to do a #SheEmbodies card and try and describe what their mothers or significant women were like. It was refreshing to start our homegroup this way! Smiles and deep sentiments of love filled the room as we shared thoughts together. Check out more on the #SheEmbodies campaign here!
From 'selflessness' to 'strength' and everything in between, it was so cool to see the range of influence and character a mother can have on us. Each person had a unique word or idea - hearing them personally express it was an awesome thing to be part of.
Smiles and deep sentiments of love filled the room as we shared thoughts together.
I chose the word 'Hipness' to describe my mum. Is it a real word? Nope. Does it matter? Not really.
She's hip, man - she'll tell you herself. She has a FitBit and listens to the likes of Eminem and The Weeknd... dare I say more? What I truly meant with 'hipness' is that my mum is super relatable, intentional and always has time for people. Over the last few years she has become more like a friend than a mother (so hip!) but she still knows how to enforce the rules when needed.
My younger brother and I have been out of high school for a few years and living at home, and she has been an amazing role model in subtly teaching us maturity, about taking responsibility for ourselves and about helping others.
I hope one day to be able to use my time that way, like my mother does. Like Jesus did.
Mum would probably try play down her selflessness with her time, but it's one of the things I most admire about her and something I don't say often enough. Countless times she has sacrificed her own time to make our and others lives easier... knowing full well she is just as busy (if not busier!) than we are. I hope one day to be able to use my time that way, like my mother does. Like Jesus did.
Mothers, grandmothers, aunties, friends, mentors or any other strong women in your life - make sure they know that Mother's Day and every other day is for them.
Valuing all women
This Mother's Day, make sure those women special to you know how much they are valued!
Mothers, grandmothers, aunties, friends, mentors or any other strong women in your life - make sure they know that Mother's Day and every other day is for them. I encourage us each to see mothers as more than just our parent or an authority figure, but instead as all the strong women who influence our lives for the better and help us become the people we are today.
If you know me well, you'll know I'm not usually one for cheesy sentiments. However, I feel that this is anything but cheesy: I've been truly touched by the meaning of a mother the last few months and I pray you will be too!
God bless ya!
By Niven Patel for The Salvation Army Women's Ministries
The Salvation Army Mirarmar