A letter to my son on the eve of his second birthday

Dear darling boy,
Two years it has been since you came out into the world and what an adventure it has been! I am writing this sitting on my bed while you are in your cot, supposed to be napping, but instead you are singing softly to yourself. This is very typical of your little character, you move quietly and steadily through a world full of noise and confusion. You stay close to your mama always and you have a gentle, loving nature. This gentle and loving nature is not to be mistaken for weakness, as you also have a firm idea about what you want and never waver once its set in your mind. You are cheeky and hilarious only this morning displaying antics to make your father and I laugh declaring "funny" over and over, because you know when you are and love to make us laugh.

You love Playschool and TV, although I try hard not to let you watch too much of this, you love showers and baths, Narnies (Bananas), Kookabuwas (Kookaburra), Buttflys (Butterflys), Gumboots, the park and swings, Library, shops, dogs, bubbles and walks but the thing you are most obsessed with at the moment is books. You are a little fledgling bookworm and have started to "read" on your own and will even push mummy off the couch in order to get some space to read in peace.

Your kisses are the best even the really sloppy ones with lots of tongue, and hearing you declare "cuddles, cuddles" over and over again throughout the day never gets old, even when those "cuddles" are really just a way to get something you want or to get out of something you don't want to do.

You have started to say full sentences, the latest ones; "It's bootiful day," "go for a walk," "daddy at work," "look at clouds," "lie down" or "read the book" and I adore watching your language grow. Some quotes include; "licious" (delicious), "stinky bottom," when its nappy change time, "yuck," "pwease" the list goes on.  

Your father and I adore you and will do anything to keep you safe and support you to become the man you deserve to be. I know one day the sloppy kisses will end and the demands for cuddles will fade away and the funny way you say things will also stop, so I try my hardest to be present for every single moment. This is hard in the busy life we lead but you are forever in my heart no matter what.  Watching you grow is so very bitter sweet but overall I feel a deep sense of gratitude for being chosen to be you mummy. Out of all the things I have done and the titles that come with them, wife, yogi, daughter, sister and soon to be health coach, Mummy is the most sacred if them all.

So thank you my darling one for coming into our lives, for bringing us endless amounts of joy, for the uncanny ability to make everything that doesn't really matter fade into the background, for teaching me what living in the moment is really about and most importantly showing me what unconditional love, compassion and empathy really feel like.

Love you,

From your one and only,
Mummy xx

IIN Module One, The Journey begins

I started my new course today at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. This is the largest nutrition school in the world. It is ahead of the game in many ways and will be the place I learn to become a health and wellness coach. I will be empowered to change peoples lives for the better. We began the course by setting our intentions and using some key words here was the post I replied with in the discussion forum:

My intention first and foremost is to change peoples lives. I see myself sitting down one on one with clients and connecting with them on a heart level and healing not only with advice and guidance on diet but also healing through love and compassion. I want to be a woman of influence who's ripple effect reaches far and wide. I also want to teach others to find the still place within us all which is so overlooked and undervalued. I want to teach others to slow down, take in the beauty of the world surrounding them and connect with the moment. I want to teach others to just be. I want them to come to the deep realisation that they are perfect just the way they are that nothing needs to be added it is all within them right now. My intention is to work with clients being referred to me from my husbands chiropractic clinic but also from the wider community. I also want to give regular talks and workshops that reach more people. I also want to run a successful website and blog as writing gives me an incredible sense of peace and well being. This blog and website will reach even more people and the world will change for the better. I can't go wrong on this journey because anything that betters myself and humankind will be rewarded and abundance in every sense of the word will flow.

My words are: Inspire, teach, love, compassion, empathy, inner peace, joy, vitality, present moment, abundance and freedom.  

Sounds pretty amazing to me! I will blog regularly on this journey I have embarked upon. I hope that it will be a life changing experience for me and the world.

Blessings,
L x

Run as fast as you can

Over the last 6 months or so I have started to include running in my exercise routine and it has taught me so much. I don't run huge distances or particularly fast, I'm not interested in running in competition against anyone apart from myself, but it has always been a goal for me to be able to do it, and now I do the rewards are incredible. So here is a list of some of the benefits I have received;

1. Its a microcosm for life. No matter the distance I end up doing there are always points where it feels really challenging (particularly the last 500m!) and running teaches me strength to get through these points. So like life we all have hard days, weeks, months and years and running has taught me to push through this pain. Its like a little sample of all the ups and downs in life. The pain from running for a while and then the elation when you achieve your goal and the pride at seeing what you are capable of. If you can do it in your running session you can carry that attitude into your everyday life.

2. Fitness and strength, this is an obvious one but worth noting!

3. I have epiphanies! Ideas, inspiring thoughts all seem to flow when I'm running.

4. Its another form of meditation. You have no choice when it gets tough to keep concentrating on your breath, or the thought in your head going over and over about how you can do it (mantra). So its a great way to meditate and exercise at the same time! Win win!

5. No matter where you are at in your fitness you can always challenge yourself more. The options are endless but also if you're only just starting out and just do short runs you will feel just as good as if you are experienced and do a longer run. The main thing to remember is not to compare yourself with others, keep it in the forefront of you mind that this is just for you.

6. Finally you feel great afterwards. The endorphins are pumping and your sense of growth and pride is amazing! So get running what have you got to lose.

Love to all
L xx