Astrid has been both extra loving outward AND open to and willing to ask for extra love for herself these days. And while she has been demonstrating this, I’ve noticed myself turning even more attention to self-nurturing than I already do and hearing from others who are finding circumstances and cycles making it essential that they, too, turn the love light back on to themselves as well.

The above photo shows her giving to, and receiving from her calming and powerful master amethyst rabbit friend. She spends a lot of time tuning in with, giving velvety tongue kisses to, and laying next to her crystals, to include the three giant quartz you see to her right – the golden and pinky lilac quartz from Tahoe and the smaller one in front from Montana – found right after Joy transitioned, on one of the most magickal Faery hikes ever not far from her place of departure.

Nurturing is a vital element of well-being, growth, productivity, and ability to thrive. There is much our hearts long to do and give out, but we simply can’t only be flowing energy in one direction. We know this concept, but do we put it into action?

If we don’t slow down, many times we find ourselves forced to.

If we get stuck in our heads, our hearts will cry out.

If we’re tired, but keep pushing, our bodies give out.

If something needs our attention, it’s sure to get it.

If we overextend our energy, the boundaries we haven’t exercised become strict teachers drawing the lines for us.

If we simply need a pause or extra softening to ensure well-being, our emotions may feel extra sensitive so that we nurture more tenderness to ourselves.

While Astrid and I have been re-evaluating and redirecting ourselves, I’ve noticed that both the changes that are formulating and my own body’s rhythms are needing extra attention that involves even more self-care and self-love.

As I get closer to 50, hormones are shifting, more solidity in myself is forming, and more questions come up as to the life I/we want to create for the time remaining.

This creates more reflection and sensitivity that desires a lot of love be directed within and Astrid is mirroring this with the evolution of her growth as well. This brings the two of us in even stronger bond together, as we navigate this new cycle we’re stepping into.

A new level of awareness and embodied response seems to be in motion.

I find myself implementing more self-care routines, listening to my body’s needs, and creating greater clarity of alignment.

Sleep has always been important to me on many levels, but lately I find myself so enamored with that time of day when I lay my head on my pillow. Although the day is full of enriching things, I so look forward to that time of restoration and dream work at night. It feels like it’s own elixir and healing supplement.

As I have been writing this, Astrid has been to my left suspended in a state of meditation – quite literally. I’ve never seen her do this before, but she was in a position where her head was bowed down in a curve fully toward her heart, like the neck of a graceful swan, and has held it there for minutes on end, with eyes in a tranced deep state and her not budging.

Her shape also creates the effect of one half of a heart.

Synchronously, I was feeling how she and I seem to have been expressly made for each other as a reflection and other half, while I then noticed her in this suspended position.

She always knows what I’m thinking – or rather, she simultaneously sends me the message that becomes my own thought.

We are definitely two halves of a shared heart.

And that seems to be her message to me.

We are mirroring the needs and awareness our hearts speak.

And all of the love and special nurturing and understanding I extend to her, ultimately is about touching my own heart that she reflects.

I believe her message is simple.

We may think we are only feeling strongly compelled to give to and nurture others and what touches our hearts out there, but even if we don’t ever want to look further into what anything means, ultimately the connection we share to everything is glowing brightly from our heart within.

Perhaps that’s why so many healers, therapists, counselors, teachers, creatives, visionaries, activists, etc. are compelled by helping others or a cause.

Some call it the wounded healer, but it’s simply a desire to love ourselves as the reflection we love out there.

And when we love out there, to realize how much we love what’s in here.

It’s walking through life with full open heart, flowing in and out.

It shifts how we respond to life simply carrying the awareness of connection.