Gentle Parenting

Today I have had brought into question some of the things that I have held very fast to, one of them being respecting people, how it applies to me and my child and future children and what it really means to show respect.  I believe very deeply that I should have a love centered approach to everyone around me, and if that is the case that it is as important for me to love my child and respect her rights, including her right of choice, as anyone else's, including my own.  I believe treating her with the respect that I would expect and desire from another is the best way to teach her to choose to live that way herself.  The thing that came up is where is line between my own rights and my child's rights, and when do I stop her from walking on mine.  It led me down various avenues of thought, and I don't have a clear cut answer.  But that is the way with human beings.  There are so many different ways of parenting, and I realized today that a part of me had been condemning certain approaches and practices.  I had a view that anyone can parent the way they want to, and it's ok for them, but mine is really the best way.  What a prideful mentallity.  But a simple, but profound question seems to be helping me change that view: Why?  Why is my approach any better?  Why is my chosen plan of action better then someone else's?  I realized that I have labled certain acts in ways that may not always be appropriate, and projecting where I am at in my perspective and progression as a person on others around me.

Walks with God

I love a lot of personal development literature.  After having a foundational testimony that Jesus Christ is the source of all light and truth, it is so wonderful to see the many places that light radiates from.  There are so many people out there, doing good in the world, and they have a desire to share with others the tools that have helped strengthen them.  I love seeing that, people doing good.  To know that I am not the only one who has that desire.  I've found that many of these people have walked a similar path to the one I have chosen, and so they have many things that they believe help along the way.  And with the Light of Christ to guide, I can discern the ones that I need, and the ones that I don't, or that I may need to look at a little deeper.

A Woman's Labour Of Love

Birth is something I am incredibly passionate about.  I love it.  I feel it to be the beautiful, crowning jewel of womanhood.  It can be so liberating, the girl coming of age and becoming a woman.  It connects us so closely with our body when we let it.  There can be so much pleasure found in it, not only in the end result, but in the journey too.  I have experienced that.  Truly it is a labour of love.  Love not only for the child being born, but also for labourer herself and everyone involved, when it is allowed to be.  And I have rarely, if ever, felt myself so close to divinity.

And so it begins...

I need this. That's why I'm doing this. Starting a blog. There are other factors, wanting to contribute to others lives, for example. Or to save my husband from yet again having to listen to me while I stand on my soap box. But when it comes right down to it, that is why I'm doing this. I need it. For so many reasons.