On daring to walk your own path in life
When I had my first child almost 12 years ago I knew instinctively something inside had shifted big time. Like I was exactly where I was meant to be. But I couldn’t really name it. So, I continued life the way I knew it. But it constantly felt like my soul was no longer fitting in…
A while later I came across a quote from Toni Morrison. And I’m beyond grateful until this day that this quote found me. It’s from her book “Toni Morrison and Motherhood: A Politics of the Heart”. I still remember how I felt when I read that quote for the first time: like I was hit by a lightning bolt. Followed by a deep understanding. And an inner peace. I finally understood what was going on. I felt seen and heard for the very first time since becoming a mother. That quote was profoundly life changing for me. And it’s with me every day since. So, let me share it with you.
“There was something so valuable about what happened when one became a mother. For me it was the most liberating thing that ever happened to me. (…) Somehow all of the baggage that I had accumulated as a person, about what was valuable, just fell away. I could not only be me – whatever that was – but somebody (my children) actually needed me to be that. (…) The person that was in me, that I liked best, was the one my children seemed to want.”
– Toni Morrison
My kids needed me to be my truest, most authentic self. Not more. But certainly not less. Intuitively I had already started to behave in a way that was in line with what Toni Morrison had put into such beautiful words. But now it felt I had someone by my side. Someone cheering me on and encouraging me to find out who I actually was. What mother I wanted to be. What leader I wanted to be. What footprints I wanted to leave. For me, my family and our community.
Our time in South Africa and becoming an Integral Coach gave me the mind and heart space that I needed for this journey. There was a lot of stuff that I had accumulated in my “backpack of life” that had served me well up to this point. But now it was time to unpack. To take a look at everything laid out in front of me. With raw honesty. And compassion. And to repack only what would serve me well from now on. With enough space for more adventures to come.
It continues to be a journey. But I have Toni by my side.
Warmly, Viviane
PS: How about yourself? What quote or poem has had a deep impact on your life? I would love to read about it. Reply to Viviane
And in case your backpack feels very heavy, please have a look at my coaching program Embracing My Path. I provide the mind and heart space. You bring the courage. We gently but thoroughly unpack your backpack, take an honest look at what’s there and repack what you feel is needed from now on. To leave the footprints you want to leave.
#selfleadership #selfawareness #leavingfootprints #integralcoaching