This is the second excerpt from my Mother's Day book, the "Life is Too Short" collection, as one of a three-part series of motherhood life lessons learned.

SALT LAKE CITY — In the movie “Regarding Henry,” a high-powered lawyer suffers a gunshot to the brain and afterward has to learn basic motor and life skills all over again. When he returns to work, the secretary pours him some tea and tells him to say when. As the milk is rising rapidly in the cup, she realizes the need to explain the concept and tells him, “When you’ve had enough, you say when.”

As parents, especially mothers, we need to do the same. A few months ago I experienced a crazy week filled with after-school activities, homework projects, deep cleaning and attempting to tackle the yard. Never mind Scouts, dinner on the table and, of course, trying to exercise.

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Ah, motherhood. There's really nothing quite like experiencing the joys of watching your child grow, learn and discover the world around them. It's a beautiful, magical, one-of-a-kind job — most of the time, that is.

Pulled in too many directions, I breathed my way through until Thursday... and then I rebelled. A switch went off inside me and I literally could not make every minute productive for one more second. After emailing a great friend that very thought — and asking her humorously if I should take the weekend off, she emailed back and wisely agreed (Take a few weekends off, she insisted).

So this time, I did.

That very day, instead of being uber-functional mom I took a nap with my baby, watched an episode of Agatha Christie’s “Hercule Poirot,” and enjoyed a Skinny Cow chocolate truffle bar.

Best. Day. Ever.

In fact, this act of letting down allowed new ideas and projects to surface — so many that in my creative excitement I had to email them to that same friend (who promptly sent me video clips of “Hello, McFly?” from "Back to the Future" to remind me of my earlier bitter diatribe and self-promise to relax).

It is a motherhood truth, one that I cannot quite get through my stubborn head: alternating busy with letting down creates a yin-yang balance of the soul. Every time I allow myself to slow down, enjoy and just be, I automatically become more rejuvenated, creative and joyful.

Here's to saying when.

Connie Sokol is an author, speaker, TV contributor and mother of seven. For more, visit www.conniesokol.com.

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