I am.....?

As I sit here with my new laptop/notebook/thingy 'facebooking away' in one of my favourite neighborhood coffee shops between classes... "Countless" other things I could be doing of course-haha.) I came across this again..

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me,
and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great men.
And, alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.
Plus, the intelligence of a man.
You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.
Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.
Who am I?

(psst...I am a habit)

Breast is Best ( 7 min. trailer)

*This video shows breasts and according to youtube isn't suitable for minors.*

It is not sexual in any way and involves mothers feeding babies and is a wealth of information in a little 7 minute clip. Hope nobody is offended.

If you think you might be offended then please don't watch.

Not everyone can nurse for many different reasons, and there are plenty of incredible moms out there who gave it the best shot they could. And there are still some who have no interest in nursing from the start, and thats their business and nobody elses.

This video it too good not to be shared and may help with some issues.

Namaste, xo

the tree of life

the tree of life
Originally uploaded by madstfri

I just find this photo so stunningly beautiful and incredible there aren't even words really. I found it on Gloria Lemay's blog and it was uploaded by Madstfri.

There is one really lost and out of touch person living in Tacoma Washington

This has been circulating around on facebook and whatnot and I decided to share (you can click on it to enlarge).

Best reply ever.

P.S. My title in no way implies that Tacoma is the home of any other idiots.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Namaste ♥

Camp Moomba Yogathon & Blissfest 2010 - Global Village

On Saturday July 24, 2010 two thousand people will participate in the 7th annual Camp Moomba Yogathon & Blissfest to raise funds for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The much needed funds raised from this event will help send a child to summer camp for an experience of a lifetime!

I'll be at the Shanti Uganda booth all day. Come and say hello ♥

An interview with little 'ol me! Thanks Vancouvermom.ca

A few weeks back Vancouvermom.ca contacted me and told me they wanted to do a little story/profile on me for their Entrepreneur to watch out for series!

I was honoured and said "Sure, it would be my pleasure!"

They interviewed me and it came out today- here it is :)

Birth Doula film

From Wikipedia,

A doula is an assistant who provides non-medical and non-midwifery support (physical and emotional) in childbirth. Depending on training and experience she may offer prenatal support, childbirth (birth doula) and/or postpartum. A labor doula may attend a home birth or during labor at home and in transport to a hospital or a birth center. A postpartum doula provides home care for the first six weeks (or longer in cases of postpartum depression) including cooking, breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, errands and light housekeeping.

The Wikipedia definition sort of implies that a Doula only attends home births which is completely untrue. (at least here in Canada) Thank goodness! I have attended a great many wonderful hospital births as a Doula in the past right along with every other Birth Doula in this city. Doulas are welcome with open arms in hospitals (at least I always was).

Most people do deliver in hospital in fact. Sadly some people have a great fear about delivering in hospital, but I can assure you that you have a great many birth choices in hospital (it's your birth after all, and you aren't ill you're having a baby)! And in hospital you can do a lot to set the mood for your birth as well ♥.

*You really can. It is your birth experience and nobody elses.

This isn't a commercial for hospital births but you may wind up birthing in a hospital whether you plan to or not.

When I speak like this in a room full of pregnant women there is the occasional look of terror. But everything is ok. It really is. Remember what Buddha said. Non attachment. Non attachment is the best thing to practice when making a birth plan/thinking about your birth plan etc. (I highly recommend making a birth-plan even if it is only for yourself)

Because it requires you to research and think about decisions that may come up.

Hospitals aren't the bad and nasty places they have sometimes been made out to be. In my opinion anyways. I'm sure glad they are there! (I've been in the trauma unit fighting for my life before so maybe I am biased) Know your choices. Be informed. Take the tour. Ask questions. How your birth is going to unfold may not be up to you, but so many other things are. It is up to you who you have there with you supporting you. In Canada we can choose our own caregiver...we are so lucky. But the big thing is being informed.

There truly is no such thing a a dumb question when you are expecting.

I have been to some very magical births in hospital (all births are). Beautiful wonderful empowering births, difficult and challenging and complicated births...what can you say about childbirth really? Each one is different. Different and unpredictable. Every single one. But one thing is certain... every single one is just such a honour to be at. Such a magical incredible otherworldly, highest energy experience imaginable. On the one hand biological and on the other it's...well there just aren't even words really.

But home births, hospital births, water births, even c-section "births" (they are still births)! are just truly so miraculous, I will never get over it. I was seriously choked up yesterday at my first Roundhouse Baby & Me yoga class of the summer as the room was packed full of mom's who previously were in my prenatal class. Meeting their babies for the first time, and looking at them and watching them, witnessing their mothering... Just watching their whole transition to motherhood really (gulp) gets me every time, and for as long as I do this I know it will. They are soooo beautiful.

Anyways, I could go on about this forever!! (but I won't! I've gotta fly!)

I just wanted to a pass this clip along that a girlfriend Tara sent me yesterday. It's short, but it took me on a trip down memory lane remembering my days as a Doula, and I wanted to put the Doula bug in your ear!

If you are expecting, do yourself (and your partner) a HUGE favour and have a Doula. People who have had Doulas would not again give birth without one. This city is crawling with them. Ask for recommendations from your friends, your Midwife/Caregiver and meet a few of them. You WILL find the right Doula for you.

And remember that a Doula supports "you" and "your birth experience." You and your partner. Totally.

It is all about you baby! And you have lot's of choices! *remember that*!

Oh, and many Doulas's are very affordable. As well, there are many Doulas who are just starting out looking for births to attend. And they're free!! (I attended lot's of free births and so does everybody else)

Get informed, practice yoga and have a Doula at your birth and you'll be laughing!

Well, I'm outta here for now!

It's another scorcher, enjoy, keep cool & hydrated and have fun!

I intend to ♥ xo