Four (yes, four!) of my closest girlfriends gave birth in the past two months - and I've been experiencing this world of brand-new beings up close and personal over the past twelve days.
I watched little bellies puff up and deflate with each breath. I watched crystal blue eyes blink open with curiosity and focus on the new objects around them. I watched miniature fingers and arms and legs and toes stretch out, exploring the surrounding space, then curl into sleepy balls.
I watched little bellies puff up and deflate with each breath. I watched crystal blue eyes blink open with curiosity and focus on the new objects around them. I watched miniature fingers and arms and legs and toes stretch out, exploring the surrounding space, then curl into sleepy balls.
As I held Grace, then Thomas, then Brendan, then Wolfgang, I absorbed more fully what I intend to communicate with return to happy.
Another friend observed, "Wow, Kate, you're about as close as you can get to God with all these newborn babies. They are pure and trusting and open to everything." The word unadulterated takes on a whole new meaning.
The babies do not fear expressing their needs; in fact, the communication is 100% authentic, initiated at subconscious origins and remaining totally transparent. When the babies cry, their parents respond by being curious about the desire and then doing their best to fulfill the desire. And if the first guess does not prove effective, they try something different. With unwavering support like this, it's no wonder we are born happy.
Another friend observed, "Wow, Kate, you're about as close as you can get to God with all these newborn babies. They are pure and trusting and open to everything." The word unadulterated takes on a whole new meaning.
The babies do not fear expressing their needs; in fact, the communication is 100% authentic, initiated at subconscious origins and remaining totally transparent. When the babies cry, their parents respond by being curious about the desire and then doing their best to fulfill the desire. And if the first guess does not prove effective, they try something different. With unwavering support like this, it's no wonder we are born happy.
And then sooner or later, that kind of support disappears - and so does the clear expression of our needs.
To return to happy, we must replenish this unwavering support; we must be our own tireless supporters. We need to ask ourselves why we are crying (symbolically or otherwise), and we need to experiment with different responses to these emotions. Above all, we need to replace the judgment with curiosity.
Today, what can you express aloud as clearly as a fearless child might?
In what ways have you been judging yourself? Could you try a new approach of curiosity? (If you want more ideas and exercises around this, let me know.)
Share some ways you might experiment with the idea of returning to happy. Your brainstorming is sure to create shifts for others!
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