Definition of Ebb and Flow: used to describe something that changes in a regular and repeated way.
Definition of Ebb: the reflux of the tide toward the sea or a point or condition of decline.
As many of you know, I am expecting a new addition to our family around October. This has been a very busy pregnancy with attending 14 births, becoming certified in Innate Postpartum, Holistic Pelvic Care, and Basic Disaster Birth Support, two travel trainings to London England and Springfield MO, plus several more online, adding additional services to Nebraska Birth Keeper, teaching a few classes, and maintaining Nebraska Birth Keeper.
I think I just realized why I’m tired, LOL.
As summer comes to an end and the next season is quickly approaching, I feel the flow of life is shifting to a time of ebb. I feel called to a time of slowness, reflection, gentleness, and vision, as I begin to slow down in my work. My body knows this too as my energies instinctively retract inward, focusing on the needs of myself and baby. My body calls for preparation and rest. My emotions call me to seclusion and rest. I find myself with no tolerance for things that do not serve my God, myself, my family, and my purpose. It is a time of cleaning the house of life and ridding myself of these things.
Most times of ebb come with resistance, as we are told in society to push ourselves to the limit with the business of life. What I have learned is that all life has a natural pattern of ebb and flow and this is necessary to sustain health and balance. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away,a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
I embrace this time of ebb in my life to sustain my own health and balance, as well as my baby’s health and balance, knowing full well it is a season. I’m preparing myself physically, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually for the calling of birth and a time of postpartum that lies ahead. It’s a beautiful and difficult journey when a woman transforms (again) as a mother of a new little one. I’m looking forward to the slowness of enjoying my new baby.
Seasons come and go, as does ebb and flow. The ebb will be greatly enjoyed, as the flow is in sight with 2019 looking to be a busy year, full of growth for myself and Nebraska Birth Keeper.