#messagefromthedaughters

2023! - Yay, we made it to a new year! Glory be to the gods! 

As I celebrate another trip around the Sun today, I reluctantly considered the year past and what it meant for me. Reluctant because I was anxious to construct and begin new goals but I knew I had to stop to contemplate the lessons learned from previous chapters. Why? Lessons I’ve learned from the prior year or chapter, I will take with me as I continue to grow and write new chapters. 

There were relationships that required new boundaries as well as relationships that required an ending. But at the same time, there were old bonds that were strengthened and new communities that are now budding (shout out to the #blackgirlfollowtrain on TikTok). 

Another insight was that I was successful at being aware of the goings-on of the world without being consumed by it. This was major! And I learned how to check in with my Self on a regular basis. So now that I’ve gathered actionable insights from the recent past, I could revel in the making of new goals and intentions. 

The job. The kids. The partner. The family. The friends. The coworkers. The classmates. We manage to make space in our lives for them all. But what about our Self? Do we make space for our Selves daily or rarely? 

The fact that our bodies and minds tend to all the aforementioned (and in some cases, even more) day in and day out says something about our physical and mental agility.  It says we should always take time to honor and make space for it…it being our whole Self.  

But how can we make space for our Selves daily? Finding the time can seem like a challenge. Not everyone can take the time out for a long bubble bath, background jazz music and scented candles.  However, making space for Self doesn’t have to be as event or time driven as we may think.  In fact, making space for our Self can be as simple as honoring who we are in the moment.

And one way to honor a moment in time is by listening to our breathing. Just listen.   Yes, that physiological process that we may take for granted.  The proof of life. Whether we’re in the car, between meetings or making meals, listening to the breathe can make a world of difference. 

Listen to the breath. Ahhh. This breathing. That’s me! That’s life! I’m alive. My body. Breathing. On its own. In this moment I am aware. Of self. I’m grateful for me. My breathing. My mind. My body. Connecting with the source of this breath. I honor this breath. This body. This mind. In this moment I make space for self. I honor me. And I am grateful.