Day 134/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
Honouring the great mother. The title of today's chapter in Sara's book, Simple Abundance. There is so much to say about the great mother.
For me, the great mother is about nurturing and caring, about stability and purpose, about focus and direction, about mystical presence and intuition, about holding and letting go, about gathering and releasing.
The great mother, for me at least, is knowing when and how, about the alchemy of being in tune with the natural cycles of life through connection with self, others and the natural world around her.
It begins with you. Along the way many mothers have lost contact with their greatness. Lifetimes, centuries of immense struggle, pain, abandonment, deep wounding, has left mothers unable to access their truly divine inner centre.
It begins with you. First learn to mother yourself. Be your own mother. Be the one who cares, caresses, soothes, mends herself. Be the one who finds that little voice within that belongs to her younger self, and listens.
Be the one who heals the wounds of that youngest version of yourself. Find out what her needs are and meet them. Be your own mother.
Honour yourself as the mother, of your children, amongst your friends, of your animals, your home and your garden.
As you walk around your home this week, look for ways to mother yourself in every nook and cranny.
In my bathroom I have a range of potions and lotions that feel lovely and nurturing. The soothing care and caress that was neglected, rekindled.
In my kitchen I have filtered water, fresh fruits, locally grown nuts, so fresh, lovely crockery and silverware that I enjoy using. The exquisite pleasure that was considered sinful, revisited.
On my bookshelves I have books that inspire my kitchen creations, herbal remedies, healing practices, creative endeavours, plant and soil regeneration, as well as whimsy. Expanding my mind into corners that were forbidden.
My work desk is graced by a thriving maidenhair fern, soft to the touch, graceful, bringing freshness and life to this space. Life that was simply not allowed, renewed.
My bedside table holds ceramic collectables for books, journals and writing pens, aromatherapy oils, candles and more. This is where I meditate, contemplate the world, rest, read, comfort myself. A secret place no longer hidden.
A breakfast nook on my deck in the morning sun is the loveliest place to start each day. Leisure that was stolen by hard work, restored.
Be your own mother. Take as long as it takes. I can promise you that when you discover your loveable self-worth you will also discover your centre, your calm resilience, your direction, your creativity, your willingness and ability to mother others well.
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.
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