a fine, fine day

 Today really was a fine, fine day. I woke early. I try to get up at least half an hour before the kids to have some peace before the day begins.

 The sunrise was so beautiful and I drank it in along with my tea.

 We walked to school along the river, the tide high and the banks alive with bird life. When we got home again Joa and I worked in the kitchen. Him doing the washing up.

 Me making this apple and chickpea cake and also some spelt soda bread.

 It is a very good cake, and not at all naughty, chickpeas, eggs, honey, apples, spices and a pinch of baking powder. The icing on top is cream cheese sweetened with honey and orange. Rebe ate 2 slices after school,

and it's very good with tea :-)

For the past 4 days I have taken part in Deepak and Oprah's 21 day meditation challenge. It was one of those 'meant to be' things. I knew I wanted to find a way to meditate more regularly and I also wanted to connect to myself through ayurveda more deeply once again. And there in my inbox was the invitation to join in, it's free and so far I am really really enjoying it.
You start with a few words from Oprah, then Deepak talks a little about the thought and topic of the day, this so far has related to ayurveda. Then he introduces a mantra and leaves you to meditate for 10 mins (I think). When the time is over there are 3 questions that you answer in a sort of online journal, to help you reflect on what you have learnt about yourself. Anyway, I was doing this today and I have one of those beautiful 'a-ha' moments.
The topic for today was about the wisdom of your body. Deepak said that in actual fact I don't have to look after my body, it looks after me.
Wow, this really makes sense to me.
For me, my body is like my mother. When I was born of my mother and father, at first there was no separation between my body and theirs. They cared for every tiny aspect of my life. Gradually I learnt to eat, to speak, to move, to walk and my body became separate from my mother's body and became a mother herself.
My body is the mother of me. She tells me what I need to do and when. I don't just mean in the physical, daily needs sense, but she is there to guide me through absolutely everything, with that wonderful thing called intuition.
An ancient wisdom that we all have. A wisdom that our bodies carry, a wisdom cell and molecule deep. The same cells and molecules that we share with the rest of creation, with Mother Earth herself.
I carry within my body the wisdom of the whole universe.
 No doctor or friend or book can tell me what I need to do better than my own mothering body can. I just need to tune in and listen. I need to find a space to sit and commune with her, to still the chatter of my mind, to stop misreading or ignoring what she is gently telling me.
I need to trust, I need to close my eyes and believe and know that my body, my mother, is there to love and protect me. To walk me through life and that at all times she has my back!
Of course, I must also respect her, the way I respect my own birth mother. I need to look after and care and nourish and nurture her. I need to keep her comfortable and as pure and clear as possible, so that she can do her job, the precious job of carrying me through my life.
Wow, that was some pretty deep thinking for 6.30 am! I can't wait to see what the next 17 days of the challenge bring :-)
namaste