What My Daughter Already Knows

What My Daughter Already Knows…

…And I Hope She Does NOT Unlearn As She Matures.

Not often do we tend to take the advice from an 8-year-old.
Quite the contrary in fact.

But there’s an innate wisdom in my daughter Ayla.
When I look at her, I can see she is home in her description.

See here’s the thing about Ayla. 
She was born with a language delay, also known as apraxia. 
Born at 2,3 kg’s, she certainly had a tough road ahead.

It brought a lot of challenges her way.
And self-doubt, fear and anxiety for me as her mother.
But more than anything, it’s given her (..and me) so many gifts too.

She’s in touch with herself.
Emotionally intelligent beyond her years.
Perceptive, intuitive and able to tune into the people around her.

More than anything, she feels safe in her body. 
She is connected to herself and those around her.
She experiences joy.

Effortlessly. 
Bountiful.
Beautifully.

She simply is. 
A powerful focused presence. 
Effortless being, grounded in self.

Here’s her advice:
There’s no need to look outside of yourself.
It’s all right here, in front of us, ready to be scooped up.

Life-ing doesn’t require deep study or extensive deliberations.
It’s all right here, available and present.

The real question is can you lean into it?
Can you open your eyes to what’s already there?

Ayla can.
Therefore, so can you.

***

Happy Birthday baby girl! 8 years today. A day that brings so many memories and feelings along with it…

As I dropped you of at school a new story unfolded right in front of our eyes when you noticed a little snail on the main path leading up to school.

“Oh no”, you exclaimed and picked them up and placed them on a plant, out of the way.

 “There you go”, you whispered, “I hope you have a special day too”…