Be the duck you want your duckling to be

I get really excited about the possibility of bringing a baby into this world someday when I think about everything that I am learning through my yoga practice; that we are the captain of our own ship, we are courage and we are love. As I was journaling this morning I started writing about the things I would want Grant and I to share with our little one(s) once/if they arrive, and how what a treat it will be to see them grow and create and hopefully live in an authentic way. A few things I want to share with my future fuzzball.

You are a beautiful angel, a divine energy and force. Although you are not yet aware of the power you have to cultivate in this world, just know that there will be a day to come when you will find your life’s purpose. We will try and remind you every single day!

You will know when you wake up every day that you have something to breathe about, something to live for, and something great to offer. Your presence alone will be your calling, your niche, the healing you were meant to give to others while fulfilling your own destiny.

Trust the heartbreak. It is there to teach you.

You will have your heart broken. Nothing great worth having is done without challenges. You will fall, but rise up again. You will fall again, but rise up again even higher. Nothing goes away until it teaches us what we need to know. Falling will teach you the lessons. Rising up will show you the strength you already have.

Do not live in fear. Let fear guide you.

Take chances. Take a lot of them. If something doesn’t work, it usually means it wasn’t supposed to. This was difficult for me to understand when things didn’t always go my way. But eventually I looked back and realized that there was a better way, a better path, a better job, better friend, better lover. All of the better made me better, and more grateful for that which didn’t work out in the first place.

Let what is supposed to go, go; and what is supposed to come, come.

It is OK to feel your feelings. Pain, love, joy, heartbreak and sadness. Do not run from your self. When we block out pain, we miss out on joy too. In order to get across to the other side of that beautiful bridge, you must be willing to ride out the storm.

It’s OK to be you and embrace your journey. 

Do not be the mask you will sometimes want to wear. You were born with a beautiful body and soul. Do not be afraid to show the world who you are. The ones who truly accept you as you are the only ones worth having in your life.

Learn to love yourself more than any man or woman will ever love you. 

You will never win by playing it safe. You must learn to feel good from the inside out! You don’t need to have “someone” to make you happy. Be your own best friend and never live in the shadow of another. See people for who they are, not some version of what you can attach to. When people tell you who you are, leave them. I hope you learn that happiness is an inside job. I hope you know that there are never any guarantees in life. I hope you will be wise enough to walk away and let go of that which no longer serves you. I hope you thank all your struggles because they will make you realize your strengths. I hope you love without regret. I hope you give without expectation. I hope that you will be the one to pick up the hurt and sad kiddo on the playground. I hope that the greatest soul mate you find is yourself.

Be beautiful, and be brave. The life you are meant to live will work itself out, even after every wrong turn and decision. Even if it doesn’t turn out how you planned. Because although having it all together is a nice idea, it is not as much fun as living a radiantly adventurous, wonderfully messy, passionate and complicated life. 

Lead by example, moms and dads. You want your babies to do beautiful things? Be the most beautiful thing. Be proud of you so that they feel worthy and able to feel proud of themselves. Encourage self-love, appreciation, confidence, and acceptance. Be everything you want them to be. Fly ducky, fly. They will follow.

Danielle Spillman is a local certified yoga teacher, health enthusiast, and writer. You can find more of her musings at www.findyourlightyoga.com.