February Serenity in TTC: Gratitudes, Affirmations, and Abundance

By HolisticMama Jan 29, 2014

Take a deep breath. You're among friends.
This thread is a daily reminder that the simple joys in life don't diminish while trying to conceive.

We'll share daily gratitudes and affirmations, guided meditations, funny stories and videos, jokes, and laughter.

There may be days that the only gratitude we can muster is that our new toaster doesn't burn bread or that it's wonderful to have a dishwasher. And there may be other days where we simply share poetry or art. Or other things that make us smile (like many cat pictures). Despite challenges or setbacks, Life is still full of beauty and abundance.

Welcome to February, Ladies!

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HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 29, 2014

Abundance Prayer

When I am afraid, I ask myself; How can I give more to life?
When I am tangled in past regrets or frightening stories of the future,
I bring myself into the present moment and know that I am safe.

When I am tempted to complain, I choose praise and gratitude.
I take a deep breath.
I look around and see how rich I am in the things that count.
I look within and see my unlimited potential.
I realize that every moment is filled with blessings and every day I am alive is a gift to be grateful for.

Eternally, the abundance says:
Every family is my family. Every success is my success. Every bride is my beauty and every bridegroom my beloved. Every child my new beginning and ever elder is my life ripe with experience.

Every dawn is a new day. Every sunset is my world turning. Every season is good and offers its bounty me. Every moment is mine to embrace for it is the Eternal Now forever expressing in, through, and for me.

I live in the Forever Here that is alive in all. Translucent grace shines in us, awake and aware of the beauty we are as we become all we were meant to be.

So it is.

From The Heart of Abundance (FREE E-Book): http://www.amazon.com/The-Heart-Abundance-Appreciating-Enjoying-ebook/dp/B00472O6I4
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 29, 2014

I am thankful that I have a comfortable bed with flannel sheets on it- and I am going to go and curl up in it. A new beginning tomorrow! Until then- sweet dreams!

"The Empress"
A print of the original painting by Emily Balivet, 2013
ChiCalGoBee
nectarine / 2028 posts

Jan 30, 2014

My favorite poem of all time. I am happy to share it here.

"The Journey"

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

-Mary Oliver
Snowdrop
pear / 1846 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I kind of started this last night in bed but I have started to do meditation type breathing (in through nose, out through mouth) when ever negative thoughts start to creep in. If i'm in it for the long haul, I really am going to have to work on my emotions.
Starting to write down my three positives now too:
1) I was praised at work yesterday,
2) I got a lie in today,
3) our new bedroom is nearly ready for the carpet on Tuesday.
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@HolisticMama: that is beautiful
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I don't know people's religious views but.....
I love the fact that the 2 most powerful bible sayings
"God can do anything" and "God gives to those who have faith" are iin refernece to women who so badly want a child!!!!!
Really hits me and I read these versus every night!!!!!!
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@Snowdrop: You are indeed in it for the long haul. Children are for a lifetime. LOL.
My therapist told me that she thought this time of uncertainty and lack of control was good practice for having children, because then your entire life is about uncertainty and you can't control another life, as you can control yours. I thought it was pretty insightful and I definitely want to learn how to handle uncertainty, anxiety and fear in a positive manner.
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I wanted to share this song that I have really been enjoying. I found it on the Circle and Bloom Pandora station.
Miss Sarah
persimmon / 1259 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I love this. Thank you for posting this!

I like to remind myself to "Let go, and let God." Also, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it."

For you non-religious types...here is a cat picture to make you smile! Happy Thursday!
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@ChiCalGoBee: What an interesting poem? When did you first come across it? What does it mean to you?

@Snowdrop: Have you looked into Pranayama? I'm not sure if it's Pranayama, but I like the breathing technique where you breathe in through your nose into your abdomen then into your chest and then out through your mouth.

@FaithFertility: @sarahnicole218: You are definitely free to post religious things here. This is a safe space.
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

Here are a couple things I am grateful for this morning:
-I have really good energy today. I feel positive and happy. Don't know why...but I'll take it!
-I finished deep cleaning the family room today. I have never deep cleaned a room (family had terrible cleaning habits) and I'm really excited. It's wonderful to have a space that you have cleaned and cared for.
-I have a crazy supportive husband and he has been often cooking dinner lately.
Miss Sarah
persimmon / 1259 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I am grateful for:
-My loving husband who tries to make light of every awkward, frustrating, and annoying venture in this TTC journey.
-I am about to launch my tutoring side business, and I'm feeling very prepared and ready for it. It's nice to feel at peace about something that could be causing me a lot of anxiety.
-I am in a good place today. I've been sick and I'm starting to feel much better. I feel rested and ready to get back to working out.
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@sarahnicole218: What do your workouts consist of?
Miss Sarah
persimmon / 1259 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@HolisticMama: Lately, I've really been enjoying my Just Dance 4 video game for the Wii. I have lots of fun and I sweat a TON! I usually use my free weights to do a few strength moves after I'm done dancing if I have time. I'm hoping to start incorporating some yoga into my routine. I could use the meditation and to improve my balance. But I don't feel in shape enough for yoga quite yet.
sandy
cantaloupe / 6687 posts

Jan 30, 2014

Here are my three positives today:

1 - my husband works so hard for our family. He left early this morning but I'm so thankful for his job

2 - it's supposed to rain today but it's a beautiful sunny morning

3 - I've been checking the weather for our trip to NYC this weekend and it's changed from snow/ice to sunny...cold but sunny!
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@sandy: I would take sun over ice ANY day! What are you doing in NYC?

@sarahnicole218: Your routine sounds nice. I have actually backed off of exercise this cycle. I'm experimenting with trying to get my body temperature to rise.
ChiCalGoBee
nectarine / 2028 posts

Jan 30, 2014

@HolisticMama: My high school English teacher gave it to me Junior year. Mary Oliver has since become a favorite poet. It comes back to me throughout difficult phases of life...and always reminds me to focus in on myself and my own "journey."

I am thankful today for: my husband's amazing job, my 4th-grade students who make me laugh, that I had an excellent week of running, and that I DON'T have my period today.
AmeliaBedilia
nectarine / 2192 posts

Jan 30, 2014

Great idea! I am thankful for:
I'm in Vegas, at a good conference, and we're going to see Cirque de Soleil tonight (Love- the Beatles).
I'm getting tons of walking in, so haven't felt the need to workout otherwise (12,000-25,000 steps/day).
DH is so supportive.
We are avoiding very cold temperatures back home.
My sister checked our house yesterday and our pipes haven't frozen.
Wonderful friends and family.
Hellobee.
Crystal
grapefruit / 4028 posts

Jan 30, 2014

I must be extra emotional today, those poems were choking me up!

I'm thankful for:
HelloBee
We have leftovers, so I don't have to cook dinner
My husband listened to me complain and was supportive
I'm lucky to have what I have. :deep breath:
Snowdrop
pear / 1846 posts

Jan 31, 2014

I think I need to learn to catch these negative thoughts quickly. If I do I seem to be able to bring myself round but otherwise it just doesn't work. Also at the moment my technique is more just not thinking about TTC as I can't seem to summon positive feelings about it at the moment.
Today I am being thankful for having the day off, getting time to do some painting and that I am spending the evening with DH
Miss Sarah
persimmon / 1259 posts

Jan 31, 2014

Yesterday, my Yogi tea bag said, "The moment you love, you are unlimited." Today it says, "Sing from your heart."

Yesterday, I was just talking about how I needed to build a stronger relationship with those in my life that I love. And today, I was singing in the car on the way to work and I realized that I am so grateful that I have been blessed with a good voice. Yogi tea knows the way to my heart...

Today is Friday, it's going to be good day.
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 31, 2014

This resonated for me today:
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Jan 31, 2014

@Snowdrop: I read a book recently that says you can put negative thoughts back onto the thought conveyor belt. I liked the imagery.
ChiCalGoBee
nectarine / 2028 posts

Feb 1, 2014

@AmeliaBedilia: I keep meaning to tell you...I'm an elementary school teacher, and just adore the Amelia Bedilia books. Great username
Crystal
grapefruit / 4028 posts

Feb 1, 2014

Today I'm thankful for:
DH making dinner
Having his love and support

I found this today and it resonated with me. I need to stop worrying so much and have more faith.
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Feb 1, 2014

Today at 2:30 a.m.
I am thankful for many things!
My DH who is my rock!
The Lord for providing for us in our IF journey!
My pitt bull Bella, who I swear knows when I'm down and is cuddled right beside me!
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 1, 2014
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 1, 2014

@Crystal: I SERIOUSLY love this. And I totally agree with it. Trying to fit in worry and faith...it will drive you mad.
snowjewelz
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

Feb 1, 2014

What a nice post! Good to take my mind off of all the frustrating things, take a deep breath and just be thankful. To know that my life goal is not and should not be to get pregnant! I know that God is in control of my life and my plans, including when or if I will have children. Trust!
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 2, 2014

"Venus in front of a Mirror"
Painting by artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
Date: 1615
The Princely Collections in Liechtenstein

Don't you love how beautiful she is? And how realistic?
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 2, 2014

These pictures are so sweet: http://instagram.com/mommasgonecity
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Feb 2, 2014

@HolisticMama: Love that quote...there is no room for faith and doubt, I am trying to truly give it all to God,
He HAS PROVIDED so why would I question him now????

Lyrics to a song, and it hits home!
Crystal
grapefruit / 4028 posts

Feb 2, 2014

@HolisticMama: I needed this today.

I'm surrendering myself to the fact that my TTC journey is outside my control.

I am working to let go of my fear and doubt of my MC.

I have faith I will be a mother.
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 3, 2014

I really enjoy Belleruth Naparstek quite a bit:

I might look into her guided meditations for fertility: http://www.healthjourneys.com/product_detail.aspx?id=89
Miss Sarah
persimmon / 1259 posts

Feb 3, 2014
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 5, 2014
HolisticMama
persimmon / 1167 posts

Feb 5, 2014

Gratitudes:
1. I have awesome homemade cookies waiting for me when I get home.
2. I get to pick up my raw milk today, which is already paid for. I'm fortunate to be able to have something so nourishing in my diet.
3. I think AF is on her way and I'm excited to spend the weekend in my version of my own "red tent."
Crystal
grapefruit / 4028 posts

Feb 5, 2014

I am feeling so emotional today, which makes it seem like TOM is coming. I really need some encouragement.
ChiCalGoBee
nectarine / 2028 posts

Feb 5, 2014

@Crystal: You're beautiful, strong, smart and intelligent. If you want to be a mother some day, you WILL be a mother some day. I have no doubt. It's okay to feel sad if TOM does arrive-it's a healthy, normal emotion. Hopefully you can look at it as a fresh start (which believe me, I know it's hard to do!) and enjoy anything you've been denying yourself (if you have been). I'm raising my Strongbow Cider to you right now!