BirthMom Buds
What Inspires You
by Leigh Harding
As Published in the Oct 2006
Edition of the BirthMom Buds Bulletin
I saw a movie a few months ago and the ending stayed with me. The last scene of In Her Shoes had Cameron Diaz reading the poem, I Carry Your Heart, by E.E Cummings:
“I carry your heart
with me
I carry it in my heart
I am never without it
anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,
my darling”
I just put it in the back of my mind and just let it rest there. I recently went through a really bad month so I pulled it out after a session with Eleanor (my adoption counselor) in which we talked about what inspires me to help me “move the energy” when I notice that I am feeling down.
Was there something I always wanted to try but haven’t? Was there something that I loved to do but haven’t done for awhile? I thought about trying yoga but you know I have a problem trying to “quiet” my mind and relax for that. So I went and posed the question< “What inspires you” to some friends and this is what they had to say.
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Michelle M.: “Being left alone or reading something that I’m interested in. Finding some really great “woman power” songs and blasting them.” |
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Amanda: “Dave Matthews Band – I have to recommend “Weekend on the Rocks: Live at Red Rocks” |
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Debbie: “Working with the little 4 and 5 years old in early childhood education. The little ones “ohh” and “ahh” at the simplest of stories – so appreciative of the little arts and crafts, songs, and games we do with them.” |
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Keri : “Listening to music, take a long walk with my dogs or go into my studio and stamp or scrapbook.” |
What I came to realize while looking at everything I like to do is that I really just needed to make some time for “me” and the things that I like to do. I came to realize that my inspirations are: reading a really good book (Harry Potter), journaling (some days I can get started and not stop for a number of pages). I pulled out my counted cross stitch that had been gathering dust on my couch; this one is for me and not for anyone else. I started burning CD’s with all of my favorite songs from my favorite’s artists and have started playing them at home instead of watching TV or throwing in a movie. I jump online and spend some time with my favorite sites: pogo games and the bmom forums.
I have started to talk about Jessica more: at work, with my friends, with Eleanor. Right now my latest inspiration was when Eleanor asked me if I would want to talk to potential adoptive parents about my story and Jessica and I told her “yes”. What better way to be inspired then to help someone else understand what we go thru.
So my question to you is what inspires you on those days where you are starting to feel overwhelmed with everything?