Bodhi's One!

I can’t even believe I am already writing this post, my baby is ONE!

I have dreamed of this moment for years, and it has always seemed so far away.

The last year had flown by, but it has also encompassed so much physical, emotional and mental change that it seems like it’s been a lifetime.

The beginning of my postpartum journey was really challenging, (for reasons I have yet to discuss publicly) and it was super lonely. I was moving through so much as a new mom, caring for my brand new baby with virtually no support expect for my sweet Husband, that had to go back to work at 4 weeks. Luckily, I met some incredible Mama friends with babes the same age as Bodhi and they have offered me an immense amount of support over the last 12 months.

Becoming Bodhi’s Mama has been the absolute best gift ever, and by far the most incredible thing my Husband and I have ever done.

Watching him grow, explore, and view the world with wonder and excitement is something I will never get over.

I know many Moms say that having a baby is the biggest blessing, but it honestly has been. Over the last year (and even the 10 months I was pregnant before that) I have been able to see myself in a new light. I have been able to shed layers, people, and things that simply no longer serve me. I have been able to get rid of body image issues I had for 20 years, and finally see my body for the incredible, beautiful, and resilient thing that it is. I have been able to shift my mentality from work-work-work and do-do-do to be-be-be.

Thanks to Bodhi life now is all about BE-ing more, and DO-ing less.

Putting my phone down, canceling meetings and working less so that I can be fully present for my family.

It’s been a beautiful journey - albeit there were lots of tears and lessons - it has been beautiful.

Thank you B for choosing me to be your Mama.

Photo By JOntel Chere

My Number One Tip for Living a Healthier Life

My number one tip for a living a healthier life…be more present.

Be more present with the foods your are consuming, eat consciously.

Be more present with the media you mindlessly consume. You can be ‘up to date’ with the happenings of the world without having the news on 24/7.

Be more present with the energy you consume. Who do you surround yourself with? How do they make you feel?

Be more present with what you choose to read. There are so many happy endings yet to be read.

Tune in to what is real.

Tune into what is happening all around you. We are constantly consuming. You have the power to choose what you consume.

What we consume ultimately determines our attitude and outlook on life.

I would encourage you to pause - to be more present starting today.

Be more present with the gifts that are right in front of you.

So many of us are so focused on scrolling through social media, unnecessarily checking our emails 100 times a day, and being up to date on everything the tv throws at us. When we give our energy to those things, we are not being present we are giving all of our energy away willingly. When we choose to live this way we are missing the incredibly beautiful gifts that are right in front of us. Put the phone down, take off your watch, turn the tv off, and look around.

Presence is a true gift for ourselves, and the ones we love most.

Photo By Jontel Chere

Friendly Reminder...

This is your reminder to breathe.

To let go of whatever is holding you down, stressing you out, and weighing heavy on your mind.

Take a moment to put it aside, and just breath.

In and out.

Placing one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly.

Connecting with the rise and fall of the chest, and the rise and fall of the belly.

Connect to everything you are in this moment, and let the rest fade away.

You are doing amazing.

You are perfectly imperfect…and that’s just about how perfect you should be.

Just breathe.

Photo By: Jontel Chere

The Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your List...

While most of my fellow bloggers are finalizing their gift guides and flooding your IG with sales and discount codes… I have one gift idea for everyone on your list.

No gift guide or secret discount code required.

2020 has rocked many of us in ways we could not have even imagined one year ago.

For many of us our lives have been turned upside down due to COVID-19, personal tragedies, or circumstances beyond our control. Whatever your situation, it’s been a year.

As we approach the holidays, and are searching for the perfect gift for everyone on our list, consider this…maybe the perfect gift isn’t a gift at all.

Maybe this year the perfect gift is simply you.

After all, our presence is the most special gift of all.

Even if we are unable to be together in person this year…a call, a FaceTime or even a personalized letter feels like what the soul needs right now.