From a Mountain of Diapers

It's been a long October, and a little off kilter from the usual.

Usually my power month, I've found myself feeling tired, somewhat unsettled, and occasionally cranky. Lots of things have been going on, illness, an upcoming move, a new venture... It has been a wonderful opportunity to observe what hasn't been working very well in my world.

What I know is this: You cannot nourish others when you are running on low or empty. Ideally we give out of our abundance, our overflowing cup. I have been overflowing, and I have been mostly empty. The stark contrast in the feeling states of the two leads to the following conclusion-

If mamma aint happy, nobody is happy.

It's been a call renegotiate the terms of my relationship with myself- down to how many hours a night I need to sleep, the sorts of foods that fuel my body and spirit best, and how much time I need alone, being creative, and with my family and friends. Learning where the self depletion boundary is only part of the equation. It's also about gauging the my inner levels and making adjustments where and when necessary, without feeling guilty about meeting my needs.

That's not an easy one to master, especially when little ones and partners are involved. I remember reading in Conversations with God Book 1 that the path of the householder is the hardest one to achieve mastery on. It's relatively easy to go up to a mountaintop and meditate until enlightenment occurs, but try maintaining an enlightened attitude while changing the diaper on a distraught baby at 3 a.m. and you. are. so. exhausted.

That's the beauty of it, I believe, being able to experience these periods of contrast so you can appreciate those moments so much more when you feel good, aligned and full of life and energy to share with your loved ones. Things are always in flux, changing and shifting and it follows that we do too, over time and in our daily process. This is life, and isn't it glorious, especially when you are well rested?

Now if you'll excuse me....