Insights and Baby Steps

Insights and Baby Steps Journal Entry #1

Insights: I really found the information provided in Beyond You and Me to be very insightful. I read a little beyond the required reading into the chapter on Healthy Living in Community. I loved this chapter! What really struck me was the section called The Cycle of Life, Birth and Death in the Community. In the section it discusses the extremely supportive environment for pregnant mothers. I am a mom of three and I know first hand the limitations of 'mainstream' birthing practices. Having the support of a community during pregnancy as well as the connection with other females is a wonderful thing. During my first two pregnancies I was quite young and did not have an adequate support system. I was not actively informed of my birthing options. For the birth of my youngest child who is now 2 I was able to use midwives who offered me a deeper level of support than the overly busy OBGYN docs. Who would not want this support during pregnancy "After the blessings we bathe the expectant mothers’ feet in rosewater and massage their heads, shoulders, hands, and feet – six caring women to each woman.“This is like heaven,” Poppy sighs." (pg 206). I think any mother or soon to be mother can see how positive a supportive environment is for emotional as well as physical well being. The fact that much of this support comes from other women really provides a nurturing environment of understanding as well as knowledge provided from other mothers who have already experienced childbirth.

My baby steps: are to finish reading Elizabeth Royte's Garbage Land The Secret Trail of Trash and talk trash with my kids! We live in a society that does not like to think of the waste we produce if I can try to get my children to see that every bit of trash has to go somewhere and does not just disappear in the garbage can I will consider my baby steps a success. I also want to check out my son's school garden for some pointers on how to start my own. I think he will really enjoy sharing his expertise with me.