Today I pass my bowl on to Jackie Steward. Jackie is co-founder of Essence of Wild where she and Jason host the barefoot breathing ecourse.

The Gift of Silence.

I had no idea that silence is a precious gift until I lost it. I used to choose silence often - doing yoga, meditating, walking alone, drawing, journalling, reading. All my favourite pursuits were silent and they fed my Soul.

That all changed one autumn day in the year 2000. As my son entered the world by emergency Caesarian, silence left without telling me it was going. My beautiful boy could have won prizes for crying. One prize for noise level and another for sheer length of time spent crying. There were plenty of times I joined him and wondered if I had it in me to raise a baby on my own.

Gradually we found our rhythm and he settled into a delicious routine of 3 hours' sleep every day. Every single day from 11am-2pm - joy! Night-times were still crying marathons but oh those afternoons were my lifeline.

So I learnt to savour every second by bringing my awareness into the moment, becoming present and conscious of every sense. I had no energy for yoga or journalling or any of my favourite pursuits so instead the most mundane tasks became shortcuts to bliss as I basked in the silence again.

I took silent baths, focusing my awareness on the silky warmth of water lapping my skin. The aromas of scented candles, soap and shampoo. Closing my eyes and slowing my breathing, I counted 100 deep relaxing breaths. 100 steps to bliss.

I savoured silent cups of tea appreciating every mouthful as it spread from my lips into my body.  Cupping my hands around the curve of the mug as I stood in the silence of the garden. Smelling the rain-soaked grass, watching clouds overhead. Closing my eyes and slowing my breathing, I counted 100 deep nurturing breaths. 100 steps to recharge.

Any everyday task becomes sacred when you move your awareness fully into the moment; becoming silent and focusing on your breath. We find bliss in 5 minutes spent silently folding the laundry or slowly, silently pushing a buggy to the park.

Such moments of silence are precious gifts addressed to your Soul.
Precious gifts to energise you
nurture you
relax you
and return you home to your true self

So when your child calls for your attention again, you will have so much more to give. Allowing yourself precious moments like these is essential - whether you're a parent or not.

Bio: Jackie Stewart is a vibrational medicine practitioner with a deep connection to nature. She offers Soul support for people who want to heal their emotions and live their Soul's purpose at www.flowerspirit.co.uk.
She is co-creator of the Barefoot Breathing e-course at Essence of Wild which has evolved from moments of sacred silence and nature connection.Twitter: http://twitter.com/JSFlowerspirit and http://twitter.com/EssenceofwildFacebook: http://facebook.com/JSFlowerspirit and http://facebook.com/EssenceofWild

Would you like to receive 30 days of daily inspiration, inner wisdom, earth wisdom and Soul medicine? Do join us for Barefoot Breathing the e-course. The magical journey begins on 11th September and registration closes on Friday  9th.

Images used in Jackie's post are by Jason Smalley who can be found on his website www.jasonsmalley.co.uk and on twitter @Wildscape_jay