Be Your Own Mother

One of the teachings that Five Element acupuncture gives us is that we have everything we need within us.  We are connected to the Mother Earth and the Heavenly Father, living and breathing in  between both, a unique manifestation of Qi.  

It is so easy in life to lose this perspective, which is why being out in nature is so important for our mental, physical and emotional health.  To be in nature, under the sky above, is to essentially spend time with our parents.   It reminds us we are part of something greater that ourselves; that we always have the earth beneath our feet and the sky above our heads; and that whatever else happens that is unchanging.

Of course we also have real world parents, who may not be so silent and accepting, whose love may not be unchanging or unconditional, who may not be so reliable.   Sometimes we look to our partners to provide this for us, or our friends. 

But here's the wonderful thing that we learn.  When we become adults, in full maturity, we realise we are responsible for ourselves and our own mental and emotional health.  We can become our own parents. 

Today, in the grip of a pandemic in the UK, another long lockdown in the middle of Winter, I invite you to be your own Mother if you need reminding that you are loved, supported, held, wonderful, trying your best, finding your way. 

Whether you are struggling with providing for yourself, your family, homeschooling, trying to conceive, trying to find work, trying to cope in a living situation that is challenging, you can turn to yourself for some comfort in a conscious way. 

Here are some ideas for engaging with your inner Mother:
Write yourself a letter, telling yourself all the things a mother would tell her child when she sees it struggling or needing encouragement and love.  Be the mother you need, not necessarily the mother you have!  

Recognise how hard you are trying, how hard it is, how well you are doing, what you are trying to overcome, that there is no perfect way to handle life, that mistakes are OK.  Talk to yourself with compassion, with love, with encouragement and reassurance.  

Give yourself an actual hug.   You know the ones you used to do at school, when you made your mates laugh because you were pretending you were necking?  Same as that.  

Spend some time lovingly massaging your lower abdomen, your womb, where you are connected to the generations before you and the potential for life (not just children), using a sweet essential oil - Coriander Seed, Geranium, Rose (if you can afford a good quality one), Jasmine, Bergamot, Neroli, Ylang Ylang are some of my favourites.  You can use one, or blend two or three together. 

Buy yourself a little something.  A book, a bunch of flowers, a cream cake - something just for you, that you don't need but that you'd like, just for you.  

Being kind and loving to ourselves doesn't always come easy, especially if we have lots of other people to look after.  So here's your reminder.   You are important enough to be taken care of.  And you can take care of yourself. 
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