Mama Renew

A dear friend recently announced her New Years intention with a gleam in her eye:

“I’m going to do things just because I want to.”

So simple, and yet so complex.  Another good friend once shared this wisdom: “The baby comes out, and the guilt goes in.”  Based on our observations from supporting thousands of new mothers, we have to agree.  Our capacity for guilt is astounding.

Why not do exactly what you want?  There are many good reasons – safety, responsibility, obligations… We of course live in relationship with loved ones, work, and countless other responsibilities.  However there is an inner voice that sometimes emerges that perhaps we shouldn’t listen to – the one that says:

“That would be selfish” or “I’d feel too guilty taking time away” or “What if they need me?”

Now I’m not suggesting that life become “All My Needs All the time.”   This isn’t about neglecting the world around us, it’s about listening beyond our guilt voice and gifting ourselves with moments that are lived from the heart.

It could be a simple as sitting down with a good book instead of washing the dishes.  Or as grand as going on a weekend retreat simply because you need some me time.  Either way, you will reap the benefits.  Go ahead, do it Just Because You Want To.

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What do you want to do? Just because.

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