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Pour your Intentions into the Salt Bowl.

5/31/2014

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I've been thinking a lot about connection recently and how we impact the people around us. No matter how quick a connection, a change has been set in motion. An exchange...give and take.

A bee might only pause briefly atop a flower but both the bee and the flower have experienced a powerful connection. The bee, pausing only moments to collect nectar has no idea that there is an exchange taking place. As the bee sits, the flower's pollen sticks to its legs. Flower to flower the pollen is transferred and the cycle continues, creating new flowers from which the bee can drink.
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Since my husband and I learned that we are going to be moving, I've been focusing a lot of my energy on the connections that I've made. I feel guilty that I didn't have the opportunity to tell everyone how much they have meant to me and how grateful I am for the lasting impact that they have had on me.

The dictionary defines a Connection as "linking of people or things: the joining together of two or more people, things, or parts". With that in mind, I wanted to mention something that I hope to do with the people in my life. I want to go to the salt bowl.
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Image captured before my goodbye salt bowl ceremony
A salt bowl ceremony is an incredible practice that involves a circle of people who, with adding their own personal ingredients, co-create a large bowl full of pleasant smelling sea salt. The salt bowl is sent around the circle and as each person adds their own special ingredient (essential oils, sage, finely chopped citrus peel, lavender that you picked from your home garden, honey, sugar, etc.) they also add their intention. This can be anything that you want, a goal for your life, a thought about the relationships in the circle, a kind message to the group, aspiration, whatever intention you feel compelled to pour into the bowl is left in the salt.

When this circle is completed, everyone takes a jar of the intention filled, delicious smelling salt home with them. In times of stress, anxiety, or simply when you need a break from the day, you can return to the salt bowl. You can bathe in those intentions and love, wash your hands with the well wishes and kind thoughts that were lovingly added by family and friends, or simply close your eyes, smell, and remember the unity that you felt as each person added their selves to the bowl and how wonderfully present you were in that moment.

An experience like going to the salt bowl can be wonderfully transformative. It's a moment in time when you're holding a literal representation of yourself...being a part of something bigger. And while you're amazing on your own, great things happen when you connect and bind with those around you.
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Birth Affirmations

1/19/2014

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I've been umming and aahing about the blog that I want to write at the moment. It still needs some work so I'll be taking a few more hours (or days!) writing/editing until I am happy with it. I did, however, just get off of the phone with a client who had a disappointing visit with her doctor. Her doctor suggested that she schedule an induction (with no medical necessity) and when my client said that she wanted to wait for labor to start naturally, she heard, "You're being very irresponsible. Who's the doctor here?" SO....instead of dwelling on the fear and anger that she is feeling, I reminded her of this list and we read affirmations together. You'll find this list below. :-)


I trust my body.
My body was made for this.
I listen to my body and I respond accordingly.
I am connected to my infant; my baby knows my heart beat, my breathing, my voice, the feeling of my love.
My body is perfect for birthing, it grew my baby all the while I just went about my normal living.
I trust my body's wisdom and knowledge.
I trust my body's ancient structure, and I give birth easily and effortlessly as I trust my body to do the work.
I am celebrating myself, my life, and my coming birthing day.
I affirm myself as a good mother.
I lovingly accept my changing body.
I easily recognize where stress is coming from and I learn to release that easily.
I notice when I get tense, and I consciously relax those areas of my body.
I remind myself to relax my whole body often.
My body is beautiful.
I am proud of my body and I trust it.
I trust my body; All I have to do, is breathe and my body will do all the rest.
I accept each stage of the pregnancy as a new wonderful adventure.
I accept each stage of the birth as a new wonderful adventure.
As I prepare for labor I remember I am in control.
I trust my body, I love my body!
I am an amazing being.
I wait on what is best for my baby and I let my baby set the pace.
My mind and body are calm.
I stop my mind from running to thoughts of worry or fears, by using positive thinking.
I notice when my thoughts are fearful, and I choose to change them.
I look forward to this transition, and I'm excited about this next phase of my life.
If in doubt, breathe out.
The power and intensity of my surges cannot be stronger than me, because it is me.
Just as my heart knows how to pump, lungs to inhale, and my hand to pull back from fire, I when and how to give birth.
Birth is a safe and wonderful experience.
I am not afraid.
I know my baby feels our calmness and confidence.
I trust in my ability to give birth.
I trust in my baby's ability to know how to be born.
My body knows exactly what it is doing.
I am confident in my ability to birth naturally, painlessly and easily.
During labor and birth, I am completely relaxed and comfortable.
I will have a peaceful, joyous and pleasurable birth.
My baby is healthy.
I am completely cooperating with my body.
I breathe deeply and slowly to relax my muscles making it easier for my uterus to work.
My body is made to give birth, nice and easy.
My body is completely relaxed.
All I need to do is relax and breathe – nothing else.
I feel the strong waves of labor and know that everything is normal and progressing.
My body knows how to have this baby just as my body knew how to grow this baby.
Keep my mind on acceptance and surrender.
I surrender my birthing over to my baby and my body.
My body has a wide open space for my baby to descend. There is nothing in the way.
My body will give birth in its own time.
I love my baby and I am doing all that is necessary to bring about a healthy birth.
Birth is an easy and natural occurrence for which my body has been perfectly designed.
The strength of my uterine contractions is a sign of my feminine strength.
I have the energy and stamina to birth my baby.
I surrender to the contractions and relinquish control of the forces within my body.
I allow my body’s natural anesthesia to flow through my body.
I do not fight the birth in any way. My body is totally relaxed. I am not afraid.
I am ready and prepared for childbirth.
My job is to simply relax and allow the birth to happen.
Each contraction produces a healthy, positive pain that I can handle.
Birth will go exactly as it should.
I will have a strong and healthy baby.
I trust my body to know how to birth this child.
I trust my instincts to know what I need in labor.
I trust my instincts to do what is best for my baby.
Only I can give birth to this baby and I accept responsibility for that challenge.
Babies are born when they are ready, not when doctors, midwives or anyone decides.
My body is indeed beautifully and wonderfully made.
It’s good for me to take care of myself. I get to have a voice.
I am willing to experience all my feelings.
My pelvis releases and opens as have those of countless women before me.
My heart knows what my baby needs, my mind is learning.
I embrace the concept of healthy pain.
My body contains all the knowledge necessary to give birth to my baby.

 

Some of these may or may not appeal to you and that's okay. I know that I like them. Choose the ones that fit you best! Do you have any affirmations that you would like added to this list!? What affirmations did/do you find helpful? Let me know!

 
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    Kirstin Mae Sengupta

    WELCOME TO MY WORLD!
    I will be gabbing about all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum but I'll also be yakking away about my life, my love of chocolate, fun things that I'm doing, important people in my life, who's annoyed me, cooking, what I'm reading...you know, life.

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