Softening

I went for acupuncture today.

After I explained how my body has been over the last three weeks, she smiled.

"You're breathing," she said.  "Your diaphragm is working."

I told her I feel like I've been holding my breath my whole life.  She said that makes it hard for my body to work at its best.  Yes it does.

She suggested I think about softening, breathing into feelings that come up, nurturing myself.

I didn't know nurturing until I had children, who taught me how and what it meant to care about another human being.

Do it for yourself, she said.  Eat good food, take a bath, exercise.

Be gentle with yourself, she said.

I lay on the table, with needles all over my body.  The lights dimmed and the door gently closed.  Tears escaped, droplets of gratitude for my children, my life, and the grace I have been given.

Softening ~ a word to savor ~