Spring is my absolute favorite time of year! Well, I was born in Spring, so it makes sense, I guess. But I love the sense of renewal and a freshness that comes with Spring. I think ritually, there are things you can do to “make room” for a new baby to enter your life through adoption. I found this article, “7 Rituals for Spring Renewal,” by Dr. Abigail Brenner, that I thought paved the way for this nicely.
In the article, #2 states:
Clear out mental and emotional clutter. When we think of renewal we often think of rebirth; something old dies and something new is born. Why not use this season of renewal as a reminder to get rid of things that are weighing you down and sapping your energy?
• Allow yourself to let go of the past to make room for new things to come into your life. Most of us have been through a lot before coming to our adoption journey. The sooner we can put that behind us and stop letting it define us, the sooner we will make room in our lives for new dreams to come true. This one is easier said that done and may need some extra coaching around. That’s ok!
• Commit to making decisions you’ve been putting off. Have you been thinking about starting the adoption process but fear is holding you back? Sometimes we need to push through our fear to reach our dreams.
• Challenge limiting beliefs about yourself and about how things should be. It took me some time to really come to terms with the fact that I probably would not carry a child in my belly – something I had always dreamed of. BUT, I could still be a mother, which I came to realize, was really the important part.
• Think positively. Recent research has shown that we can actually change the circuitry of our brains. When something negative comes up pair it with something positive and stay with that feeling. YES – it is so important to stay positive through your adoption journey. Lead with an open heart, an open mind and a positive attitude, and your baby will enter your lives that much quicker. I’m convinced…because I’ve seen it!
# 3 talks about taking up yoga or meditation. I would add in affirmations and visualization as well. These are practices I’ve adopted over the past year and the changes in my life have been radical! Visualize your baby, what he/she looks like, how your baby feels in your arms and affirm that it will happen. The mind is powerful!
Another idea that is brought up is to assess your health. Have you been putting off your commitment to a healthier you? Why? Now is the PERFECT time to get your health under control. When you bring a baby into your life, you will have less time and energy for yourself. You will need all the energy you can get, so why not make some changes now? Last Spring, I conquered this one! So, I’m speaking from experience. I was at my heaviest and had no energy left for my son. I discovered Arbonne’s 30-Days to Fit detox program and my life has been changed ever since, having lost over 20 pounds and regaining the energy I had lacked! (Feel free to ask me about it – I can coach you through that, too!) So, I encourage you, especially during the “waiting times” in the adoption process, to do what you need to do to feel healthy…for you and the baby that will enter your life soon! You’re worth it!!
With Spring in the air, what plans do YOU have to refresh and renew? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.