Letting Go

For Today's Relish11 Prompt.

Last night a friend joined my daughter and I to partake in The Mother of All Releasing Ceremonies. Pixie shared this ceremony on her space this month in hopes that women all over the world would come together, huddled by fires to welcome back the light this Solstice. This was my first time ever celebrating a solstice but surely will not be my last. I feel many new traditions have been birthed in our household this year and I look forward to honoring them in the future.

All month I consciously thought about what I was going to release in my bundle. Slowly the words formed on tiny slips of paper and were set aside until I was ready. The bundle was hefty as many of the burdens we carry are. This was a perfect opportunitly for me to look at my shadows and sort though what needed to go. I let go of fear, anger, judgement. I let go of the expectations around what my stomach should look like as a woman. I let go of the nagging fear of not being a good enough parent. I let go of anxiety about my relationships and my expectations surrounding them. I let go of the sleepless nights I have been experiencing.

This all makes room for some pretty incredible things. I now have room for courage, joy and acceptance. I have made room for self love and self care. I have made room for being gentle with myself about how I choose to raise my child. I can open up space for beautiful new friendships. I have made room for rest.

I am not so naive to think all these things will magically whoosh into my being but knowing that I am making space to receive them is the perfect way to start 2012. It will be a practice and a process that is perfectly imperfect I am sure.