Hello Beautiful Women,
As some of you might know, my mother passed away recently. I spent a few weeks caring for her, spending time by her hospital bed and being by her side as she slipped away. This experience has been earth shattering, her diagnosis was sudden, her decline fast and her death too soon. It left me stunned and in disbelief and I am still not quite grasping that it happened.
As I am slowly picking up my life and returning to work I wanted to connect with all of you. The focus of my work has been health but it has also been life. Living a life that is vibrant, joyful and on our terms. Defining for ourselves what healthy means for us. Learning to listen to our bodies and our hearts more than to “experts”. This focus seems more important than ever, in my own life and in the lives of the women I work with.
I am giving myself time to go through the stages of grief. I am easing into my practice and not pushing myself to do more. Some of my plans had to change and I will be launching some programs and classes at a later date. Doing things at a gentler pace is what I seem to need right now.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned and that I want to share with you is about prioritizing our own health. Making it important. Making it the most important thing in the world. As women we tend to ignore and neglect our needs and my mom ignored her symptoms for a long time, until it was too late. I am not writing it in blame or anger, but as a way to shed light on a pattern that so many of us have, myself included. We think it’s ok to not listen to our body’s whispers, we think it’s ok to not feed ourselves the most nutritious foods, we think it’s ok to not follow our hearts dreams, we think it’s ok to not see ourselves as the most important person in our lives. Well, it’s not. We are important. You are important. Your life is precious, so precious. You are so worthy. Please, take a moment and take it in.
Let’s all promise ourselves, that as long as we are on this earth, we will remember our worth, our significance, our impact and prioritize our lives and our health.
I will be starting a new Women Health Circle this Spring and invite you to join us and make your health the most important thing.
Learn more about it here: http://healthnutgirl.com/womens-health-circle/
With all my love, Rachel
Rachel, this is such an important message for everyone, but especially women who put themselves last over their family & friends. Thank you for reminding us that we must put ourselves first or we won’t be able to care for others. I understand the shock and inability to grasp the reality of a loved one’s sudden passing. Give yourself all the time you need – in my case it was a full year. My heart goes out to you and your family. xo
Such a great message Rachel. And especially this “Learning to listen to our bodies and our hearts more than to “experts”.” I can’t agree more. Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable part of yourself with us
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful testimony.
Am so sorry for the passing of your mother.
I am glad you have chosen to take care of yourself and others too.
Wishing you love and much blessings.
Rachel,
I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I send to you a hug filled all you need to find peace and move through this difficult time!
I also want to thank you for formally putting this message out there. Taking care of ourselves so that we can be the best us and better care for those we love truly is important!
Precious Rachel…I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of your mother. Wrapping my arms around you and your family. Your blog was so poignant about how women must see their health and well-being as important! That the choices we make for our health do matter. Continuing to set intentions to make those healthy choices everyday. Thank you for being you <3
Dearest One, I am so sorry for your grief. I was not able to be present at the passing of both of my parents and that has always caused me great sadness. As painful as it is, at least you got to say your good-byes. As for myself, over the last few years I have come to acknowledge the wisdom of listening to your body. Even when I manage to slip up or take a few steps back, wonderful people like you are there to catch us and set us back on the right path. All my love!
I’m so very sorry for your loss — and grateful that you have reached out to your online community. Your message is an important one. Thank you for sharing at this difficult time. Thinking of you with love.
My sweet friend, Rachel. You continue to inspire me to care for Self in the most loving of ways. I am grateful for our friendship, and (as you know) I’m always a phone call away. I sit beside you as you grieve, holding your hand to offer you loving comfort. Much love to you and yours.