Coaching with Mary Clare

The start of a new year often arrives with a lot of noise: resolutions, pressure, and promises to do more or be better. But for me, the new year invites something quieter. Instead of rigid resolutions, I’m drawn to new year intentions that begin with a pause… a moment to reflect on what has been and to gently turn toward what’s ahead with curiosity and care.

During the Christmas season, the language of peace is everywhere. We hear it in carols, read it on cards, and see it woven throughout the Advent story. And what always stands out to me is that even two thousand years ago, people were longing for the same things we still ache for today—relief from striving, rest from the noise, and steadiness when life feels uncertain.

One night, my daughter told me she wished she could be a grown-up. She imagined all the freedom adults get—staying up late, eating candy, no homework. I told her that yes, being a grown-up is wonderful in many ways, but one of the best parts of being a kid is all the time you get to spend ***playing***. The truth is, many of us grown-ups forgot how to play.

Motherhood asks us to be brave in ways we never expect—sometimes in the big, dramatic moments, but often in the small, everyday ones. From roller coasters to horseback riding to the quiet moments of fear and love, I’ve learned that bravery in motherhood isn’t about being fearless. It’s about choosing courage—again and again—for the sake of our children and for the growth it brings to us, too.