Dear friend.
It's been a while.
I've missed sitting here with you and just being present.
I hope life is being kind.
I hope you're being kind to yourself,
And if you're not,
I hope you're forgiving yourself now.
You can always start anew,
Each day a new draft.
A new story.
Let me offer you the space you need for that.
Let's breathe together,
Shall we?
I need it as much as you.
And every time we exhale.
We can let go of everything that weighs us down.
Just for a few seconds.
Deep breath in.
And out.
And out.
And out.
That feels good.
I forget to breathe sometimes.
Maybe it's because one year ago,
Someone took my breath away.
Also my heart.
My whole body and soul.
I became a mom.
I gave birth to a little boy.
It hasn't been an easy path.
There's been fear,
Pain,
And loss.
But also strength and determination.
And most of all.
A kind of love I didn't know existed.
What I feel for my son isn't sweet and lovely.
It's feral.
It comes from the gut.
I never knew how mammalian I could be.
How fiercely wild.
All flesh and bones.
I know this for what it is.
A powerful mother instinct.
He came through me.
He's part of me as I am part of him.
Two as one,
24 hours a day.
Exhausting,
Intense,
Yet beautiful and rewarding.
But that's life,
Isn't it?
Wild.
Pushing us to the limit.
I didn't know how strong I could be.
I think most of us don't realize what we're capable of.
And then life tests us again and again.
And we rise to the occasion when we really have to.
When there's a purpose bigger than ourselves.
So much in our world needs tending.
So much needs this powerful mother instinct.
This urge to protect at all costs.
It is hard work,
Being alive in these times we happen to live in.
It's hard when you care so much.
I won't sugarcoat it,
Just like I won't sugarcoat the role of motherhood.
But we tend to underestimate ourselves.
And let me tell you.
We are incredibly resilient.
Incredibly strong.
Hard times show us our true character.
And you,
My friend,
Are fiercely wild.
Just like me.
Just like my child who falls and fails and keeps trying again and again.
So whatever you're going through right now,
Whatever problems you want to solve,
Know that you've got this.
You've got this.
Here we are,
Playing these notes,
My sun bubbling contentedly,
One random note at a time,
So imperfectly.
And yet this moment is perfect as it is.
It's perfect in its simplicity.
I'm not solving every crisis in the world.
I'm just here.
And for my son,
That is all he needs.
We can improve so many things just by being present.
Present with those we love.
Present within our community.
Present in our interactions with strangers.
Present in our daily choices.
Fully aware of their consequences.
And as we walk along our path,
Suddenly we realize all those moments of presence have built upon each other.
And we have come so far.
We are mammals after all.
Warm-blooded.
Warm-hearted.
Strong and capable.
Full of life.
So full of life.
Motherhood has taught me a lot so far.
I've learned we can't fully understand something unless we've gone through it.
It's been a powerful reminder to be kind to others,
To judge less.
I've learned to be more patient,
Not just with this little boy that has zero impulse control.
But also with myself,
With my life partner.
And with this came the realization that most of us are operating under a great deal of stress.
We all need more kindness,
Less judgment.
And definitely more helpful.
I hope we can change our current systems.
Be less individualistic.
Help each other more.
We were born to survive and help each other do the same.
And it all starts with presence.
My dear friend.
I'd love to hear from you.
I'd love to know what your current hopes and fears are.
We tend to feel that we are alone in our life journey.
But another thing I've learned during this first year of motherhood is that we're all experiencing very similar situations and emotions.
I've found so many mothers going through the same tribulations.
And we all share the same hopes and fears.
My wish for you today is that whatever life stage you're on,
You can find a sense of community.
But you find other souls to share yourself with.
Our species is meant to have that.
You deserve it.
We all deserve it.
Please take care of yourself.
I send you a big hug.
We've got this.
