As I write this, I journey back to all the times of mothering my daughters…the birthing process, their early years of development – the excitement and joy of watching them grow and develop as they smiled back at me, cooed, talked and walked as they became more and more independent with the teen years.  I have gone from being the helicopter parent to the parent who has allowed them the space to grow-up and learn their life lessons, which has been hard for me to do. I do remember how I became so engrossed in being a mom and forgot to take care of myself. I was much the mom who was the breadwinner (embodying that masculine energy) but also that mom who would come home and make sure that you got a good nutritious meal and cuddles (that feminine energy).  One day it hit me like a brick wall when the Universe sent me a message and made me take care of myself.  I was so fatigue and sick with a cold that I couldn’t do anything for anyone.  I’ve been pretty much open to holistic practices since my late twenties, but this time I went to the doctor wondering what was wrong with me because I couldn’t shake this cold.  The doctor looked at me and said, “Go home and get bed rest for 3 days and don’t do anything…let your husband take care of the girls.”  I told the doctor that I could do that and so I did.  However, after the third day, there was very little improvement in my energy levels.  A co-worker, who is now a client of mine, introduced me to a practitioner that helped me open doors that I never knew about.  From then on, I practiced the art of SELF-CARE.  I allowed myself to get weekly sessions so that I could be fresh for my family and who knew that I would discover that it would be my life’s passion.  As I live with this work that is play for me.  I absolutely love what I do and I never need to put it on the shelf because I need a break from it.  What I might need is a break from taking care of others to allow myself to be cared for.  I thank the Universe for giving me this lesson because without I would never have discovered my life’s work.  Motherhood can open doors for you that you never would have thought about.  What changes have you have made that are directly connected to motherhood for you?