Reflections

As I looked into the mirror, staring at the reflection peering back at me, I realized that the face before me was one I hadn’t seen from a while. The sparkle, joy, taking the time to actually do my hair and make-up being things that had vanished into the night, taking with them my zest for the simple things that make me feel alive.

I’m sure you can all relate. There are seasons to our lives and some, more than others, prove challenging and exhausting and serve only as a thief who robs our ability to stay grounded and connected, a location where we ensure we place our own self-care first in order to support and be there for those around us.

Traveling this road of motherhood can become especially weary, and throwing in the gift of autism, well it some days it truly feels like a never-ending rollercoaster of emotions that will never end. And those are the days that without even noticing, the most important aspects of our self-care slip away as we try to focus on things that ultimately are out of our control!

This past week, as I reflected back on all we’ve been navigating, I finally recognized the value of those daily staples I had allowed to slip away. I truly had not acknowledged the things they added to my day, the peace and tranquility they poured over me, and the quiet strength they whispered to remind me to keep moving forward. And sometimes, the strangest thing sparks that distant memory, prompting you to take action and reclaim them.

Today is day four. Today is four days of actually doing my hair and putting on make-up - even though I had nowhere particular to go! Today is day four of journaling, noting those things I am grateful for, connecting with God, and allowing my faith to bring me the strength I cherish. And today I am thankful that the weary, tired reflection staring back at me from the

mirror has begun to fade and glimpses of myself are returning.

What have you let go of in your day to day life that may need to be brought back? That reflection that is starting back at you, are her eyes lovingly casting their embrace over you or are they too exhausted to even notice the light within them has vanished?

So today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect. Think about all those things you are truly grateful for, and even those challenges that you’d rather see disappear, and then take a moment to ask yourself what is missing right now and promise yourself that the time has come to bring those joyful gifts back!

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. Shine bright!