unfinished thoughts

Since Thea's birth nearly 11 weeks ago, my heart has swelled - not only with love for my daughter and husband, but also with months and years of stagnant emotions that were finally forcing their way to the surface of my consciousness. My mind has been racing, trying to process all of the thoughts and feelings that I had turned away from during my pregnancy, when I was too fragile and tired and fearful to do anything but get through the day-to-day.

So, now, I find myself full to the brim with all of these thoughts - of our long journey to today, of my pregnancy and Thea's birth, of my experiences as a new mother - as well as of my continuing task of discovering my dreams and passions, my journey of self-definition, and my struggle to build self-confidence, overcome my fears, and explore my creative energy.

[And yes, that giant run-on sentence is exactly how my brain feels most days.]

I've started dozens of posts only to watch them sit unfinished. I have ideas for dozens more that I haven't even begun. I'm learning to accept that I may not be able to fully form and write about these thoughts - at least not for a good while.

And then, like magic, I stumbled across the weblogs of several fantastic women who are writing about exactly the things my soul had been sifting through. I read their words, nodding my head, whispering, "yes, that's it." I am grateful for their honesty, for their willingness to share about these things that so often remain tucked away inside, for their gift of placing words together so beautifully.

So, because these women have so eloquently given a voice to these thoughts, I'll point you in their direction so you can experience this magic for yourself:

Stacie writes about giving yourself permission to pursue your own unique creative energy and encourages us to take risks and open ourselves to possibilities.

Jen Lee writes about authenticity and truthfulness.

Brené Brown writes about embracing imperfection. Her whole series on imperfect parenting is nothing short of amazing.

Jena Strong writes about the importance of hope.

Sophie's Press writes about over-thinking life instead of experiencing it.

I hope you'll go and soak it all up.

Comments

[schmoops]

i sat and read this nodding my head and saying "yes". i so completely understand where your head is at. and thanks for the shout out! i am honored to be linked in such amazing company. kisses to thea...

xoxo

[cheryl]

Thank you for these connections! At this point I struggle more with the frustration of "imperfect" than anything else, and I fear conveying that never attainable push to my kids...and my daughter in particular who's already demonstrating a similar bent...whether genetics or example, I know from whom she gets it. Off to read the links..thank you!
(And we just had a precious peek at your beautiful Thea and her precious Papa...:) You are doing a phenomenal, phenomenal job!

[Dawn Anderson]

Thanks for the links. It will be great reading for those "moments" I have at work!