So, today I deviate slightly from our normal programming to say, THANK YOU. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here and for being a part of the Bodies for Birth community.
It is because of you that I have the tremendous privilege of doing work that I love each and every day.
It is because of you, that this community has grown year after year despite different iterations.
It is because of you, that Bodies for Birth has sustained ups and downs, and even periods of hibernation.
It is because of you, that I sit down to write each week, hoping that my words can provide comfort, solace, insight and LOVE always.
So, YOU are clearly my WHY for this work. ALL OF YOU.
This community of women I serveāuplifting one another in shared stories and vulnerabilities, in power and uncertainty, in the unspoken understanding that is pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood.
AND ME TOO. I AM also my WHY.
I am a better person through my relationships with you all, for bearing witness, for holding space, for receiving energetic inspiration through our conversations and interactions.
And, for all of this and more, I thank you. Thank you for all that you share so honestly, so authentically, so courageously along the way. It is a honor to be on this journey with you all.
BUT, my āDeep Down Basement Level Why?ā Now, that is something else.
The āWhy Beneath my Why,” I’ve discovered…is MOTHERHOOD.
Every intention, every action I take is ultimately to fuel my life as a mother. Life as a creator, as a giver, as the keeper of family energy, traditions, rituals, as a source of the divine feminine for myself and those I love.
I realize now, that this extends far beyond what I would have typically believed.
My role in Motherhood is not reserved only for my two sweet boys, but itās Motherhood for myself, for my entire family, our community, for my friends, for all those suffering.
Women have a mighty role in this world. And, at nearly 45, I am just starting to truly understand our power and to step fiercely into mine.
As we settle into the holidays, may we mother ourselves in the ways we need, may we mother those we love with deep intention and may we prepare to step bravely into 2024 together.Ā Again, Thank You!
āMothering is a true spiritual path in that it will expand your spirit, make painfully visible your personal limitations, and bring some of the greatest heart-opening moments of blissā
āĀ Tami Lynn Kent,Ā Mothering from Your Center: Tapping Your Body’s Natural Energy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
Something to Read
āA few blog posts on the Divine Feminine:
From the good trade: What Is The Divine Feminine?
From Tiny Rituals: Divine Feminine: Meaning, Origins, And More
From Mindbodygreen: 9 Ways to Connect to the Divine Feminine (And Why You Want To)
From Sumeeta Seeks: Divine Feminine Energy: 22 Ways to Awaken the Goddess Within
And, if you want a deeper dive, check outĀ Tami Lynn Kentās Books–some of my absolute favorites!
Something to Try
How about tapping into Tip #1 from the MBG Blog?
āRECLAIM RESTā
Perhaps the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the seasonā¦can you find time to just sit? Without a book? A phone? A distraction?
āAs Kaiser explains, we’re fueled by a “get-more-done” mindset and “constantly on a mission to achieve more, do more, get more.”
To resist this temptation, try to allow yourself to simply be, and do virtually nothing. Yes, nothing!
“In the power of the pause we can tap into the divine grace of the feminine,” she notes.
Try sitting in silence for just five minutes. No music or distractions, just allowing yourself a moment’s rest.ā
Something to Create
Creating in the spirit of the Divine Feminine can look like everything from literally creating life in the case of pregnancy, to creating art, journaling, creating space, preparing nourishing food for yourself and others, creating a beautiful environment, the list goes on and on.
So, what might you Create? Might it be as simple as creating positive energy or maintaining a mindful presence during this busy time?
Something to Consider
āHow you love yourself is how you teach others to love youā
ā Rupi Kaur, Indian-born Canadian poet and author
Pause to consider, are you teaching others to love you well?
Self-love and self-compassion surfaced again and again in my research for this newsletter. And while this is a topic I covered previously, itās worth revisiting.
So, how are you doing when it comes to self-love, to self-compassion?
Are you in need of an upgrade?!
If so, how might you create a loving ritual?
This might mean daily intentional loving affirmations or taking a leisurely bath on Sundays.
Alternatively, how might you create SPACE for self-love/self-compassion to surface?
This might mean asking for time and space so you can be still to gain access to your true needs.Ā Whatever it might be, it is uniquely yours and ever evolving, so have fun! Experiment and then, notice. Always notice.
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself.” ā Maya Angelou