How to Protect Our New Self

I have been watching a wonderful woman struggle with the decision of whether or not to divorce. She’s made it very clear that whatever happens— if her marriage stays together or if it ends— she is determined to change.

I’m humbled and awed as I watch her give birth to her new self.

Giving birth is painful. The pain often feels like it will never end and we will not be able to bear it. It is also messy, an emotional roller coaster.  Once it’s over, a new life is created for which there is no manual.

The most powerful thing we can do to protect this new life of ours is to speak our truth.

I do know amazing women who can’t even imagine not speaking their truth.

For those of us who have learned to be silent at an early age and for those who have been intimidated into silence, speaking our truth can be terrifying. If we say how we feel or what we want, someone will abandon us, humiliate us, rage at us or worse.

We become accomplished actors, smiling, laughing, staying busy with our lives, fooling others and ourselves into believing all is well.

When there is a crisis and we are pushed to go deep inside our hearts, we recognize that by not speaking our truth, our spirit has withered. What a tremendous loss. We understand that being silent is no longer an option. To protect the precious life we have birthed, we need to wrap it, swaddle it, in a blanket of truth, honesty, love, compassion and light.