An ABG Tribute to Mothers, and What They've Taught Us About Resilience

Moms are on our mind, this weekend in particular with Mother’s Day just around the corner.
 
What’s also on our mind is the notion of resilience, at this moment in particular as our industry is exceptionally challenged under COVID-19.
 
For today’s newsletter, we wanted to bring those two things together – Moms, and the idea of resilience.
 
So we asked some of our ABG Community members who are also Moms to tell us a story about their own mothers. What have we learned from them, that’s helping us through the current situation?
 
The responses so far have been poignant, and we’d like to use them as “seeds” to grow a garden of testimonials from throughout the whole ABG community. We hope you’ll share your input too, over on the ABG Facebook page or else through direct emails to Beck or me.
 
Here are a few examples to get the ball rolling.
 
Embracing Our Common Humanity, by Dottie Gaiter
My mother, for whom I'm named, traveled the world feeling quite comfortable, which is amazing for a black woman who was born on a farm in the 20s. When I was six our family moved to Indonesia for two years. Dad went first to establish a home and my mother and my two sisters and I followed months later. With three identically dressed daughters in tow, she led us through Italy, Egypt, India and Japan and I never saw her anxious. We were guests in other countries and she trusted that the things that all humans have in common bound us to each other, no matter our color, our religion, our language, our place of birth, our economic status. In Indonesia, she presided over a home that was open to other expats and Indonesian colleagues. Back in the U.S., travelers from other countries somehow found their way to our home. My father, a true internationalist, was extremely proud of that. We can only get through this crisis by together embracing our common humanity. 
 
The Power of Family, by Devin Parr
My mother comes from a tight-knit family of four kids and parents who were married for more than 65 years until they passed. While I was growing up, I was surrounded by this cast of characters, thanks to the importance my mother (through her mother) placed on our togetherness. Sunday dinners were a constant, and family gatherings legendary, with children always active and engaged participants. She has instilled in me my most important non-negotiable: the power of family. This touchstone is something I find myself drawing great comfort and purpose from right now, and when I feel down or angry, I remind myself that there are little people – my kids – whose needs and simple joys guide and fulfill my day-to-day. 
 
Applying Compassion Every Day, by Julie Rothberg
My mom was my rock growing up, showing me how to be independent and self-sufficient. But she was also compassionate and emotionally aware, understanding what motivated people and applying a caring lens. Friends would divulge problems to my mom they wouldn’t tell their own parents and she would give worldly advice without judgement. The death of my father a decade ago and old age has eroded some of that confidence teaching me to savor each moment I have with her and my own children. One thing I’ve learned from her that’s relevant today is applying compassion to everyone we interact with as we are all struggling these days in our own ways. We are not alone in our personal challenges whether it’s juggling work and children or financial difficulties or overwhelming stress of uncertainty. Being sensitive and understanding to others is a gift to them and to yourself. 

A Good Red Sauce, by Allison Langhoff
Growing up I can remember the smell of fresh garlic, baked breads, homemade cakes and much much more in my house almost daily. My mother learned from her mother in the kitchen as all good Italians do.  When COVID19 started this year all of us were at a loss at the destruction that we were and are still seeing globally from the disease. When our favorite restaurants and everything else closed for the lockdown in my city by the bay my Italian roots immediately started to show themselves with a daily dose of home cooking and baking that I hadn’t expected. Was the actual food really the point?  Or were all those years of my mother cooking and baking a way to bring family together, to prioritize personal health and wellness, to slow down and to take care of our earth by only using the fresh ingredients that she provides? Here’s to all the Italian mothers and grandmothers out there who taught us that a good red sauce is the key to a happy and healthy life. 

Fighting, Fiercely, with Our Warrior Selves, by Cathy
My Mom was diagnosed with lymphoma last year, and she describes her diagnosis and treatment as a “seven-month bad dream” that she’s now woken up from. For a moment there, when Mom decided she was in fact going to fight the disease, I felt a little sorry for cancer; Mom is a formidable opponent in any battle. If I were a betting gal, I know who I’d have put my money on. One thing I’ve learned from her, that’s relevant for today, is that some battles are not worth fighting. But those that are? We fight them, fiercely, with our warrior selves.
 
How about you? What have you learned from your Mom, that’s particularly helpful in navigating our current situation?
 
Please let us know, and share with our Community as well. We’d love to see this garden of testimonials grow, right alongside some useful advice from our mothers.
 
Namaste,
Cathy

What We're Reading:

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic we are adding to the weekly reading and resources. Here's what has piqued our interest this week.

5 Ways to Cope with Anger and Frustration During COVID19 – MindBodyGreen.com
Anger and frustration are normal emotional responses during times of high stress, and here are five ways to help cope.
 
The Food-Sleep Connection - ExperienceLife.com 
When it comes to metabolic health, sleep plays an unexpectedly powerful role. At the same time, our food choices also have a big impact on how we sleep - or don't.
 
The Benefits of a Mindful Lunchbreak - The Mindful Leader.com
10 worthwhile podcasts, shows and hacks to encourage you to take that lunch break.
 
3 Tips to Avoid Work from Home Burnout - HBR.org
With “work from home’ now the new norm, the risk of employee burnout is real. Here are three ways to help manage those risks.

Meet the Community!

Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.

Rachel Collier, VP of National Accounts, Ancient Peaks Winery and Chief Strategic Officer, Dream Big Darling Foundation

Years in the Industry:
There are times when I feel like I just started my career, but I am entering my 27th year in the industry!  I spent 20-plus years working in fine wine distribution, starting as a sales rep and moving into managing team and divisions. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 26 and created the first chain division for a California fine wine distributor, The Henry Wine Group. That was an incredibly rewarding time. I was also the first female VP at the same company a few years later. It was a wonderful part of my career as I learned about the business of wine, traveled the world and met incredible people. I built teams that inspired me and that fueled my energy. It was so much work but also very rewarding.

I transitioned to the supplier side in 2017, working for a family-owned all-estate winery in Paso Robles; Ancient Peaks Winery. It has been such a great fit for me as I work with some of the most innovative, committed and caring people I have met in the industry. I am also involved in our mentorship foundation, the Dream Big Darling Foundation, which was created to mentor women in the wine industry. That has been very personally energizing.
 
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
As a natural caregiver with three kids, aging parents, and a full-time job; at the end of the day, I am tired.  I don’t like exercise to be scheduled, because so much of my life is scheduled, so I rebel against any daily or scheduled workout routine. I’m much better with a spur of the moment walk or yoga class with a friend! So the biggest challenge is making spontaneity a routine!
 
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
Honestly, I think getting older gives you a wonderful perspective on life that has helped me to regulate my mental health. We have the benefit of more and varied life experiences, both negative and positive. I have discovered that the greatest areas of growth for me over my life and career have been a direct result of persevering through unexpected, seemingly negative life experiences. Sometimes it’s something concrete like a health crisis for your child or as broad as when life doesn’t turn out how you expect it to. These experiences have been some of the greatest gifts and have contributed to my contentment with life, and therefore greater wellness. Our experiences make our lives richer and more satisfying and make us who we are.

I took up meditation several years ago and I love nature, especially trees. I am a thinker and I love the quiet. I like to be alone with my thoughts and a journal or a good book. My dream is to live somewhere where my backyard deck sits next to a forest… I love the smell of the trees, the crispness of the air and the natural silence. A quiet backyard deck in the forest with a cup of coffee and a journal = Heaven!
 
You can connect with Rachel on Instagram at @rachelcollier1.

Let's Meet Up - Virtually!

In light of current world events, we are offering online gatherings for ways to connect. Check it out.

Saturday May 9 | 4pm PST (US) | 7pm EST (US) | 9am SUNDAY May 10 | Syd (AUS) Foundational Yoga with Elizabeth Van Emst (60 min)

Join Napa Valley Yoga Center teacher Elizabeth Van Emst for Week three of our weekly yoga practice. Sign up with the link here and email  events@abalancedglass.com with any questions.

Wednesday May 21 | 5pm PST (US) | 8pm EST (US) | 10am Syd (AUS)

ABG + Pen2Paper Writing Workshop - Message in a Bottle

Join Pen2Paper Founder Jayne Portnoy for an insightful writing workshop especially for ABG community members. All you need is a pen, paper and a glass of wine!

Join us and register on Pen2PaperProject here

Join the ABG Community:

We are a pretty mindful group of folks and we want you to join us!

If someone has passed along this weekly news, you can receive your own copy by signing up on the website here: Join the Community or at the A Balanced Glass Facebook Group.

You can also connect through Instagram @abalancedglass and Twitter @abalancedglass