18 Comments
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Helen Pengelly's avatar

No one taught me to nurture myself. I had to figure it out on my own.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

So much of life is figuring it out on our own

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Preston J Cole's avatar

When heaven peeks through the clouds, the skyline brightens to a reddish horizon, songbirds tweet from their nest, sunrise peels into formation, while the galaxy recedes into the sunrise image across the radiant skyline. I am reminded of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s recording “First Light!”

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

You always drop a reference to expand my knowledge. Thank you, Preston, for reading and your generosity.

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Preston J Cole's avatar

You must be referring to my referencing the trumpeter Freedie Hubbard’s “First Light?”

Did you listen to the recording? Its so intricate that raises my creative imagination whenever I listen to it.

I was thinking about dichotomy between your writing and modulations and complexities driven by tempo, pitch, and cadences of “First Light.”

I'm just thinking since you didn't directly mention what references.

Thank you for sharing your gratitude for receiving my references.

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Afro • Reads's avatar

Learning how to nurture myself in my 30s. I know I need SUN & bright colors in my life. Starting with something as small as collecting pastel colored pens! It’s a game changer

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

Yes to the bright colors! I need time outdoors, it’s a non negotiable for my mental health.

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Phil's avatar

Life’s necessities have taught me to nurture myself. For after taking care of the needs around me, I’m forced to prioritize the needs within me. Mostly to refill my battery.

Thank you for the reflection.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

Gotta keep the battery fueled!

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Badiana Badio Eckstrom's avatar

Who taught me to nurture myself? Spirit, therapy and my Dad. Then further reinforced by my husband.

Plans for Mother’s Day - My husband and I are taking the Moms to a healthy breakfast spot to connect over yummy food, then we are all going to a plant nursery to pick out new plant babies for our perspective homes.

Thank you for this beautifully written piece.

Did you read it to your Mom?

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

I resonate with the spirit therapy and husband part. Heavy on the husband part. I love a plant date, the trouble is not taking every single plant home, keep me in the loop of where you go to eat in Boston, I’m always open to a rec. She reads everything I post so no need lol.

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Badiana Badio Eckstrom's avatar

Literally, I have the same issue. I want to buy all the plants. I recently propagated the plant pups of my Chinese Money Plant and that whole experience brought me so much joy. I just planted it in a small planter today because its roots sprouted and grew length quickly.

I am excited to see the baby 🌱 thrive like its Mama plant 🪴.

Love that your Mom reads all your words! My Dad is the same way. It’s beautiful to have that kind of support.

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Badiana Badio Eckstrom's avatar

Sounds like you and your husband have a beautiful dynamic. That resonates with me.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

You know when I see "the sun" I come running! Beautiful boo!

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

Hahahaha a little bit poem to brighten up the day and thank the mommas who shine bright. Thanks for reading!

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Jaylynn Little's avatar

I'm still learning how to nurture myself, but I'll say that life's experiences and my desire to create a life of peace and joy inform how I nurture myself. This is beautiful, and thanks for the share! I'm glad it resonated 😊.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

It’s a life long thing - becoming, nurturing, growing into ourselves - and as soon as we figure ourselves out we change. It’s a funny thing this life, but like you said, keeping peace and joy at the center seems about right when it comes to caring for one self. Thank YOU for writing, I am happy to share.

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NJ Fiction's avatar

Beautiful! So many good lines

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