I am a big believer in synchronicity, perhaps to an extreme. Rarely does an opportunity come along that feels random or totally out of the blue. Although it’s not always easy to connect the dots at first, for me, it’s become a science, or maybe better said, an art. Given enough time to think about things fit together, I can almost always see the thread that ties all of my life’s experiences together, or at least one to the next.
I remember my mom saying—during some of the tougher moments with my second baby—“she’s here to teach you the lessons you haven’t learned yet”. Sigh. I know she was right. I think everyone can agree that often the greatest lessons come from our roughest patches but I’m beginning to think that sometimes Universe gives us more gentle opportunities to learn. Whether we choose to learn “the easy way” or not is up to us.
A number of weeks ago I wrote a blog post about ways in which I think mothers should have to take care of themselves. Notice I use the words have to because I think it should be a contractual thing otherwise mothers like myself, and endless others will never follow through. But, I digress. The point of the “Simple Self Care Contract” began out of wanting to share with other moms what I considered the non-negotiables of self-care. As I wrote it became clear that although I do acknowledge making time for myself and my needs, I realize I should be following the contract much more vigilantly.
Within a week of my post being published, and my revelation that I was clearly neglecting some of my own self-care rules, I was invited to participate in an unbelievable partnership with Häagen-Dazs. The premise? To travel to Italy (yes Italy!) to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes while immersing myself in the Italian culture for one reason; to gather inspiration. I know, right? Does it get better than that? I will be one of seven artists are embarking on this journey to Italy to embrace “La Dolce Vita” and in response, create unique, limited-edition works of art to symbolize each of our perfect Italian moment and a selected Häagen-Dazs gelato flavor. Travel, art (which for me of course means photography), and gelato? Yes, the L’artista Della Serie (The Artist Series) is a dream project.
The synchronicity in all of this is that within this one single project, I can check off a number of the points on my Self-Care Contract; a creative outlet, a change of scenery, indulgence…check, check and check. I’m not even on the plane yet and still, I am fully aware of the lesson; that allowing myself to experience and enjoy something like this is one awesome way to take care of myself. And with that I will say ‘ciao’ to a little self-care and a lot of gelato.
A special thanks to the Universe and Häagen-Dazs for teaming up to teach me such a sweet lesson.
