A River Runs Through Us

These Rivers are running my life, our lives, our minds

I used to sit by the River when I was young, and I would write.

She was a great companion of mine, and little did I know, my thoughts and words flowed out of me from her, from within the waters to a greater place

upstream, beyond.

I knew that I could always source that element of "flow" in my life by being in the presence of a body of water.

And anytime I return to the water, that feeling is restored within me again.

I wanted to call my doula business "River Of Life" or something relating to water (I'm not entirely set on the name) because I feel that the act of giving birth has so much to do with water and fluidity.

Not only the birth but the fluid nature of the female body, how it can change and adjust so drastically, yet so naturally during pregnancy and birth.

Yet also the body in general, its fluidity being the blood in our hearts and veins, or the fact that our bodies consist of up to 60% water, more than half of our being is water. About 71% of the Earths Surface is Water.

And finally, I relate it to the nature of the movement of our universe and existence. It moves like water: with flow, with grace.

I would encourage women (and all people for that matter) to meditate upon how water is to manifest for them in their lives. How can you find an ally in nature (like me with the River) to inspire you to become like it, whatever it is that speaks to you. It does not have to be a river, nor a body of water. Maybe it is not even necessarily what is conventionally defined as 'nature'. As long as you are observing and learning from the animate, lively qualities within it.

I urge everyone to seek and befriend these teachers, there is nothing more beneficial than the direct knowledge of observing and being right along side your teacher. Being within the learning experience rather than an outside, onlooker.

May these teachers help you to connect to yourself, and find what you already know. What you know to empower yourself, to bring joy to yourself in others. to understand yourself and your body.

I think that the imagery of water for pregnant and birthing women is especially helpful, as it speaks to surrender and bliss of following the river, letting it carry you. That never-ending, motion of life, moving you, moving within you.

To be in contact with the inner flow which compels you, propels you, to the outer world which you must flow in harmony to.

To be like water is to be harmonious, there is no other way than the all-encompassing togetherness of water. Which I would encourage all to see as the harmonious nature of birth, as it was designed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~

~~~

When I sat beside the River and watched her glorious movement, her waters flowed into my eyes,

into my mind,

into my thoughts,

into my hands,

into my words

She moves me through my writing, through my art, through all creativity

I carry her to this day through my living

and she, carries me along through the world

The River may not only be a Goddess of Birth itself, but all forms of birth in our lives that involve creation and creativity. I implore anyone and everyone to source the water in them and around them to unlock their creativity.

It is a moving, sensitive, powerful force.