"you can do it!""It's o.k. to be scared."
"you can do it!"
"hold on tight."
"you can do it!"
"I'm here if you fall!"
These are words I repeat to my daughter everyday... as she climbs trees, hangs from monkey bars, and twirls like a top on a twisted swing. I wish for her to be brave and to take risks. I want her to learn to trust herself and those around her. She seems to be figuring this out with such ease.
I'm still learning these lessons. I think a lot of us are. I often repeat my words to her
to my little girl self- I'm here if you fall! you can do it!
to my mothering self- hold on tight! you can do it!
to my artist self- it's o.k. to be scared, you can do it!
to all the other selves I seem to have become over the years- you can do it!
Can you tell I've been a bit introspective this week? My birthday month has begun. I will turn 40 in 18 days. Although I've been thinking about it since my last birthday... it did sort of sneak up on me. All of a sudden, I'm staring at a new decade... and checking in. I'm also looking out at where I'm headed. I haven't been here before but I'm taking risks and being brave!
39 was a tough bday for me. 40 was a breeze and all 6 since then. Life gets better after 40.
ReplyDeleteThe whole age thing is out of the way and I seem to be more in touch with my life. Celebrate getting older. It's so much better!!! Happy Birthday in 18 days~
Happy Birthday month to you!!! (Mine is the 17th.) Such pertinent reminders of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteHappiest of happies, Maya. 40 is a bit of a weird milestone, isn't it? I had mine last year.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - listen to yorself - you can do it!
xxn
Enjoy your birthday month, 40 is great. Old enough not to care what other people think, to know what matters most. I was 40 last year and was lucky enough to become pregnant with my 3rd child - 40 has been wonderful for me and I hope it is for you too.
ReplyDeleteThese were the sweetest words to greet me this morning! Thank you friends, for your perspective and love!
ReplyDeleteLooking at what you have accomplished in the last 4 decades and especially in the last year I can see nothing but amazing surprises and exciting times for you in the next decade. I am often heard telling parents that their life begins again after their youngest child turns 5 but I think you are a great exception to that. Any special birthday plans???
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I have to keep relearning those lessons, too. Sometimes I hope to teach them to my kids so they believe them, and don't have to deal with the crippling fear and perfectionism that I have had to overcome, and still do.
ReplyDeleteLearning to mother yourself is important I think. Learning to be a friend to yourself, instead of beating yourself up for all your perceived imperfections.
Thank you so much for your message. I need to learn a lot about this...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations & parabéns (40 it's a nice age)
:)
Great post- We all need to mother our own selves with the same sweetness we give our children. I turn 40 this month too. I'm excited about it- I think the 40's are going to be filled with more self-assuredness and less concern about what others are thinking. :)
ReplyDeleteI am just behind you my friend, and feel the same way, about "raising myself the way I wish I had been raised". I am the parent (most of the time...) that I want to be, and having those messages that I share with my children sink into my own head seems a bit more difficult than imparting wisdom on my boys. I love that the older we get the wiser we get, and the more self-assured and confident! Our 40s are going to be fabulous!
ReplyDeletexo
I just turned forty this year (well, actually at the tail end of 2008) and it did catch me off guard. There's a certain line you've crossed and I think I did mourn the end of certain kind of youth. Nonetheless, six months into it, you know, it's not so bad and there's much to be said for it (for example, I finally got the progressive lenses for my glasses -- basically fancy bifocals -- I'd been needing and they're fabulous. I can embroider again!). Enjoy the last few days of your 30s!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and authentic inspirational words....Happy Birthday Month!
ReplyDeleteI listen and review the things I say to Zoe each day, to see if they are right, if I can take them for myself. It's such a good exercise!!
ReplyDeleteIntrospective is good.
And I love you very much.
what a lovely blog xx
ReplyDeleteMaya listen to what everyone is saying. I could not agree more. I was better looking when younger but never in front of the camera. I had more sleep and brain cells but not as smart. I had more time but less love. There is a self-assuredness that I have fallen into in the past few years. Whether it be age (41 myself) or the regaining of self after having little ones it has only just begun for this beautiful gathering of women. Our time is now...it is so now that sometimes I can't remember my age and it is not because I am old it is because it is irrelevant!
ReplyDeletegreat post and thoughts! i turned 40 only 8 days ago and it still doesn't feel real! i thought 40 was old...hmm?
ReplyDeleteThank you for being born! If anyone can do it, you can.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog. I'm turning 40 in August and I've never felt better. In fact, sometimes I really wonder about adulthood. I still feel like a kid. Happy upcoming birthday to you.
ReplyDeleteI've been holidaying with the family & just read this post.
ReplyDeleteWe have a programme at our school called "you can do it". It's a mantra...& it's true.
Happy birthday month sweet maya. Breaking out the birthday crafty thinking cap this arvo.
xxx
Great reminders to the little girls and artists and moms in all of us! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete:) Michelle
wonderful post, thank you for the reminder. happy birthday!
ReplyDeletemy kids and i are traveling to see my grandmother next week, who turns 90 on the 20th. so much life we still have ahead of us!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com