Mum's (inherited) superpower

My first Motherless Mothers day felt calm. Full Circle. I am the process of possibly applying (first application ever) to a role I feel I fully embody. Where I, amongst many other qualities, will have an opportunity to serve their people, culture, leadership and purpose with a deep loving, warm, compassionate, intuitive, ’belonging’ essence resembling the ArcheType Mother. Funny enough I feel those aspects more connected to my Father. My mother (ons mam) gifted me with other ‘traits’ but that I only started to realize quite late in life.

So I feel like honoring my Mother for that. She wasn’t the typical Mum and I would have loved for her to have lived life to her Full Potential. She chose to take care of her family and lead the company after my father went Ill, which was not her deepest longing. But she just showed up and did what needed to be done, like many Mothers do.

One specific memory surfaced up this morning. My first work-related flow state. My mother fostered in me a potential that she and her lineage possess. Natural entrepreneurship and business acumen.

When I was eight she bought a little blue plastic toolbox filled with of bijoux jewelry of her brother (a merchant). She paid 100 guilders, which was a lot of money at the time and gave it to me. I remember that moment so vividly feeling. Staring into the box, was like staring into a treasure trunk from a pirate movie, filled to the brim with potential. This was one of the first times, I had that visceral sensation that I would recognize for the rest of my life—a deep inner knowing that something was fully aligned and would be successful and impactful. Fully switched ON. (Similar feeling I had reading 4 lines into the role description).

A few weeks later, I effortlessly started my first little business, selling necklaces with pendants alongside with my own handcrafted earrings. I had asked my mum to make me panel covered with blood red velvet, so I could present my products in a professional, beautiful and stylish way.

I (intuitively) chose the most strategic spot, the wardrobe area of my parents' hospitality venue, where 300 women would gather every week.

The ladies lined up for me. I sold a quality product that wouldn’t tarnish with a return option. (I tried it out myself first). As said I also added my own handcrafted earrings, which I made with joy, love and care. My products matched their taste perfectly and I even took custom orders. On which I offered advice after a short inquiry in what their grandchildren might like. I'll never forget the feeling of that evening. Everything clicked while making people happy. They felt like proud aunties, appreciating what I was doing and how interacted with everyone. I made a profit 500 times my pocket money per evening. My parents, who were selling snacks in the breaks nearby, watched proudly and laughed saying it was busier at my spot than theirs. I was beaming and glowing for days. That night, I could barely sleep from the euphoria, dreaming of necklaces and what had just happened.

I did this a couple of times. Not one return, several very well received custom made orders and word to mouth kept my mini business flourishing. When it was full circle (I had learned everything there was to do and the routine kicked in) I stopped. Until some mentor some 20 yrs ago asked about a remembrance of flow state, I didn’t realize that this was a perfect example of that.

Playing with chat GTP a bit later about what key qualities, skills, values, and gifts emerge from this memory. Interesting to see that it includes many of the qualities needed for the role I might be applying for (see Part 2). A Perfect blend of my Mother, Father and me. Ignited by my mum’s business hunch to buy the little blue box, full of necklaces with heart pendants. Fostering potential in people and businesses. One of my super(woman)powers.

Thanks Mum.

PS In Part 2 (coming in the following days) I will show how you can let Chat GTP distill your key qualities, skills and values from such an experience. And what questions to ask.