The Mother Archetype
While in graduate school, I studied archetypes, and found them fascinating. In my business I even developed my own Warrior types. I recently went through an experience to re-connect with my own personal archetype. Here is what came out front:
Many assume that I am not a mother. I am a mom. I understand the power of life swelling inside me.
But that is not what makes me a mom. I am a mom because I have supported and helped countless women find their voice, their dream, their life for them. I have stood by and championed them when no one else would.
I have created discipline and structure when they really didn’t want it. I have been a voice for them when no one else was a voice for them. I have taught women how to be the best women they can be. I know I am sometimes the woman she hates! I am the one that often says the things and does the things that most embarrassed her or pushed her towards the greatness that I know she had – even when she wasn’t ready.
I often find myself on the sidelines cheering them on celebrating and clapping and doing it silently because they are embarrassed when I jump in too much.
I have felt the pain and the loss when a she no longer wants that support. When they feel that they can do it themselves even though I know they need more time.
I have felt the ever deepening joy that comes from watching her walk into her life and ready to make choices and to grow and be the best woman she can be, all the while feeling deeply sad that she no longer needs me. I know what it means to be so proud overwhelming with pride and success of someone I have nurtured for time.
I know the power purpose and passion that has been given to me. I know that my calling is mother hood.
Studying your archetype can bring clarity to your purpose and Influence Factor. What is your archetype?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
You are a caretaker of others. You foster the growth of women, through support, cheer leading, and celebrating.
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
I don’t know a lot about archetypes or the names of them so maybe don’t know exactly where I fit in. I am a mom for sure, literally and figuratively. I’m a nurturer, a supporter, a champion for my clients. Maybe that’s my archetype too.
Susan Berland
You definitely are a mom! Creating takes many forms as you so beautifully describe in this post. Thanks for sharing your intimate thoughts and process with us! My archetype is probably multi-faceted, like most people. Mothering is pretty dominant but so is the Self.
Thanks, Ann — beautifully said! As I read it, I kept looking for the word “nurture”. Finally found it next to the end.
As I understand it, nurturing is the essence of your message, and you’re proclaiming the virtue of devoting your energy for the betterment of others. Wholeheartedly helping women develop their innate abilities and fulfill their potential.
Seems to me your message would become even more powerful and universal if you substituted the word “people” for “women”. I’m not a woman, so perhaps I misunderstand your point in focusing on women.
Perhaps I’m less sensitive to the outrage of living in a male-dominated civilization which universally short-changes women. I can imagine some type of “affirmative action” program would always be appropriate, and perhaps in a sense that’s what you’re accomplishing.
Robbie, obviously this touched something in you, and I thank you for your response. This is MY archetype, and honestly MY archetype has very little to do with men. A women with three daughters would not write “people” now would they?
You are so definitely a nurturing soul Ann. Sharing this kind of personal expression so much adds to who you are as a business person. You are a real person too! I have done a lot of work with archetypes as well. I love Carolyn Myss’s book called the Sacred Contract that helps to explore the archetypes that rule our lives and how they can help us to be the people we are meant to be. Very helpful and very interesting process. Thanks for sharing a little bit more of the woman behind the armor.
🙂
Oh, how I love this affirming blog,Ann. As someone who has also nurtured countless women (and some men) on a journey to empowerment with the use if qi practice, I have often acknowledged this is the mothering I have chosen to do in my life. I have felt All the things you describe so beautifully, sometimes with a broken heart and other times with a heart bursting with pride. It is a gift you give and I so appreciate
I was very moved by reading this, Ann (Mom!) At first I didn’t know where you were gong with it, but when I followed your words, I came right into the heart of you. The commitment, the nurturing, the tough love, the giving, and the letting go – all part and parcel of mothering. I don’t know that much about archetypes, so don’t know where I fall, but this makes me curious. Thank you!
You have so beautifully summed up the feelings of being a “mom.” You don’t have to have birthed babies to be a mother and you do fill all of those roles so well for so many women when they/we need it most.
This is truly beautiful and touching Ann. Archetypes are somewhat interesting to me because of Joseph Campbell. He is the one that introduced me to them. I’ll have to do some investigating to find what my type is.