It's been quite a while...

I've had to step away, and I'm not quite sure if I'm stepping back fully or not. You see, for the last 3-4 weeks, I've been immobilized by a back injury. In these 3-4 weeks, I've been forced to be still, rely on others for help, take a leave of absence from work, and I've been working on healing, which is happening but at a very slow rate - but it's happening.

In the course of a few days (interestingly enough corresponding with my husband's new hair cut and declaration that our lives need to change and transition), I found myself in severe pain due to (what would be discovered a few days later) a herniated disc (disc fragment) in the L5-S1 range.

I was give quite a few options: traction, steroids, or surgery. I've opted to do the traction to see if it would improve things, and it has been. Slowly, but surely.

Being still, I have realized just how fast my life has been spiraling. My children have grown in leaps and bounds. And over the last year and a half, I've been longing to slow down. One might argue that the universe was listening, because right now, I've been forced to slow down.

I don't think I've been more aware of the feel of my eldest's cheek, how large my youngest's hands are, the comfort holding my husband's hand brings (since hugging and snuggling are challenging). Through all of this, I find myself longing to write about it. To share what I've learned from my situation, and possibly about myself.

I'm not sure that I want to include it here... because I feel the need to give it it's own space to grow or pitter out if that is the case. It's a journey for certain. I suppose it's just a matter of taking the first step.

Join me if you wish... 

 http://playfulgracefulsteps.blogspot.com/

Autumn's Arrival

Simply Ten Good Things

Thank you for yet another inspirational post Soulemama... all good - simply ten She summed it up best with: "It brings the pleasure of right now into full clarity for me, planting me here in the now, and fueling me for the day to come."

My ten things would be:

waking up to a kiss
silence of the early morning
a sleeping toddler

conversation with good friends

soft hints of colored leaves in the trees
gray skies + cozy blankets + a hot cuppa
time with some fabulous ladies
that feeling after a good workout
having my eldest snuggle into my lap
the distinct awareness of my senses that fall is here

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.- Soule Mama

 

Advice

Perhaps I need to start receiving some of the advice that I've been giving as of late. I gave this to a friend who's going through a really hard time, and yet, I keep find myself reading it over and over again...

It was then I realized, maybe this isn't just for me, and someone else needs to hear it as well... and so, I'll share...

((HUGS)) Go outside. Feel the sun on your face. Take a deep breath. Life happens.
And when things happen that leave us feeling knocked down and dragged out, it's time to find moments that enable us to rejuvenate, if not in big ways, then small ones. And don't be afraid to feel it.
Let yourself feel the disappointment, anger, and frustration - cry, work through it and get it out -
don't hold it in.
And then let yourself feel, really deep-down feel, a hug, a breeze on a sunny day, the flowers blooming around you, the laughter of a child... because it's all there. It's all life. Feel the sorrow, let it go.
Feel the love. The love, it's always there. And helps to get us through the other stuff.
Thinking of you... wishing you moments of peace amidst the challenges.
"This too will pass."