Thursday, April 9
Reflection: There is a version of us that many of us have carried quietly for years, a future self we thought we would meet by now, the one who would have a son or daughter. Sometimes my vision of her still visits in the silence, in the ache of pregnancy announcements, and in wondering what my life would be like if I were a mom. And at the same time, there is also the life that is here now, the one I am already living. I’ve been learning to notice that this life is shaped by different rhythms. I am nurturing, I am “mothering,” in my own way…by tending, by showing up for my family, my friends, and this village at Healing Roots Together that we have created for women who are childless. By placing my hands on something real: the soil of my spring garden, my goofy, lovable dog, the horses at the sanctuary where I volunteer. When I pause, listen to my breath, and remind myself, “I am connected, I nurture, I do mother,” it helps me stay in the present moment, because this life is not so bad. It doesn’t erase the longing, but it asks something gentler of us: can this life, the one that is here, still belong to me? And slowly, over time, can it become something I recognize as my own…even something beautiful in its own unexpected way. -Adriana Rodriguez-Baptiste
Subscriber Spotlight:
Self Care Tip: Let's take one collective breath together. Drop your shoulders away from your ears, unclench your jaw, and take a deep 4-second inhale. Let it out with a slow 6-second exhale. Making your out-breath just a little longer is a natural brake pedal for an anxious mind. Carry this calmness with you!
