If trees could do it like people do (posted for the purposes of igniting one’s sense of sensuality and a love for trees! (There are only trees in this video accompanied by human sounds and some music…)
Enjoy!
Babies can sometimes seem like fussy little things… until you tune into what they need. I admit when my first one was born I felt strangely incompetent. And I had babysat many a baby in my day!
A few things to remember if you’re pregnant or with a new baby:
* Your baby was just inside of you for 9 months, getting used to your sounds, your warmth, your smell. He or she wants to have access to that familiar, safe place (YOU!) for at least another 9 months. Mammals do this naturally. Humans have been swayed from it through the invention of lots of fun gadgets (i.e. swings, fancy carriers, machines that sound like a heartbeat, etc.) It’s not that the inventions are bad, just that Mom or other close, loving caregiver is really all that’s needed in the beginnning.
* You have the ability to tune into your baby and tend to his or her needs. People have been having babies since the beginning of human time. You can do this. Do not let what others say help you question yourself.
* If your baby cries, something’s going on.
* Baby’s basic needs/cues that reassurance is necessary: connection and closeness with loving caregiver, clean, dry, comfortable clothes, healthy food (breastmilk is best, formula obviously works if breastfeeding is not possible), quiet time with caregiver, opportunity to observe and acclimate to the world, acceptance and acknowledgment of feelings, trust in baby’s inherent goodness.
* Wearing your baby can soothe many discomforts. When you choose to wear your baby in a comfortable carrier such as a Moby Wrap or Ergo Baby Carrier you are doing a few things: continuing the connection created in utero, provide a safe space for your baby to transition to the world, you provide an avenue to really get to know your baby and his or her signals, you can watch for cues to feed or need a diaper change so you prevent crying, you are giving yourself a mild workout so you can get into shape!
“Natural” Parenting isn’t just for children of hippies. ;o) It’s for any parent who wants to be more in tune with him or herself and the child. Our societies have come up with great ideas to soothe babies, but love and connection from a caregiver always, always triumphs over a plastic toy. So have some of both! As your baby grows he or she will scoot and crawl away to play with the toy, but he’ll also want to know you’re available to reconnect with.
If you’re interested in a great baby carrier, you can enter to win one in a contest here (through December 15, 2008): Along for the Ride
In the stillness you will find
All that you had left behind
When you came forward in this life
You knew enough
To know then
You were more than you see now
Answers to the challenges
that hold you today
Are no more
Than a breath away
You are not
This earthly being
Though for a time it may seem
That things will never go your way
Remember
You created it this way
Did paradise bore you?
The challenge sounded fun?
You surely are
A daring one
Choosing to come forward
At this time
Love
Simply love
Divine
Words and actions
Are empty now
There is no need to find out how
Only believe that you can
Discover your dream
And you will win
The game you are playing
Is with yourself
You are the only one here
Disengage from the illusion
Emancipate your mind
Mental slavery
Be not kind
You are free
You are free
You are free.
~ from Rebecca
What is a leading stress inducer for parents? FEAR. Actually, it is a stress inducer for anyone, but in this post I’m addressing parents. :o).
In a lot of cases, we avoid fear. And pain, and anything unsafe. Try massaging fear with survival thinking.
For instance, if you fear a fire erupting in your home while you sleep and your thoughts go to something like, “How would I be able to save my child,” do not avoid it like the plague. Now, maybe you already have a really thorough fire plan. Have you practiced it? At least in your head?
Avoiding fear intensifies it and if you ever were caught in a disaster you’d have to operate in fight or flight mode which could certainly save you and your child, but we’re looking for peace of mind, right now.
Going towards the fear and really thinking about how you would consciously act in a scary situation can help.
Another example could be what you would do if your child got seriously injured and you didn’t have access to medical care. Are you up to date with CPR and first aid? If not, there are certifying agencies around and you can read up online. Playing through scary scenarios in your head seeing them come out with a peaceful ending helps you neutralize fear.
If you have a scenario you want to discuss, let me know - I’d be happy to role play it with you.
There’s a lot going on in our world and we can only do what we can do to keep ourselves safe - it all starts within our own mind.
Acknowledge it first.
That part of you that you may or may not completely even comprehend in totality. The part that seeks joy, yet does not seek at the same time.
The watcher and silent observer of every detail of every experience, soaking it all in so you can grow and learn and contribute to the ever expanding awareness of humanity.
Do you connect with your spirit? Do you live from it? Are you it? Is it You?
How do you nourish you and stay in touch with the Essence that you are?
Simple doorways… Prayer, meditation, silence, witness of the joy… and the not so joyful. Living the fullness of each experience making the most of it like a savored piece of delectable food. And you can of course, just breathe. ;o)
Now that you’re here, take a moment to just breathe :o). Of course you’re doing that already, but pay attention to your breathing. Follow the breath in… and out. Feel it in the rise of your chest and belly… and the shrinking back down.
Your breath is the essence of you, your life, your world. Inhale = expansion, growth, illumination. Exhale = contraction, going within, releasing, cleansing. Stillness between = no-thing, emptiness, all that is, pure abyss of love and light. You are that. All of it.
Which is the basis? Where does it all emanate from? The stillness and yet all of that which one experiences in the rhythm of the breath is easily found in all experience.
Want to get in touch with Consciousness itself? Just breathe.
