The Both/And of Grief {#UPLIFTseries}

This morning I had the privilege of contributing to a new internet series on holiday support for those whose lives have been touched by grief + babyloss. I chatted live on Periscope about the both/and of grief, and you can view the replay in the video below. 

I'm really excited about the UPLIFT series, which was started by CarlyMarie. It's for folks who are a little farther along their journey of grief, past where the hurt is so fresh and raw. CarlyMarie said that, unlike other holiday support series, UPLIFT is for those who are ready to take responsibility for their own grief, for those who (while they would like this to happen) don't need their friends and family to remember their baby and/or loved one who died.

This is closely in alignment with where I am in my grief journey, as in just a few days I'll be marking the fourth anniversary of my daughter's stillbirth. The idea that UPLIFT is for those who have been walking this road for a number of years now totally captivated me when CarlyMarie asked me to be a part of the series, and I'm so grateful for what is looking like it's going to be an absolutely epic offering. You can find out more about UPLIFT here, and join the event page on Facebook here.

Facing down four years without my daughter is an peculiar feeling. While I still wish I never had lost my dear Eve girl, I am no longer living in the agonizing newness of her death. What's more, I can see with increasing clarity the gifts that it feels like she has given me in her passing. I discussed all of this and more on my live Periscope broadcast, the replay of which you can watch in the video below. For those of you who are looking to read Eve's story, here are all the posts tagged with her name, starting with the most recent and working backward in time.

Thank you again to everyone who showed up to the live broadcast -- it was absolutely my honor to share space with you. I hope that, live or replay, past or present or future viewers, that if you are watching this, you find some tidbit of inspiration or insight to take away and use to nourish and strengthen your brave and glorious soul.

Learn more about UPLIFT + meet my fellow series contributors (who are amazing!) here.

Hello + Welcome (Again)

Hello! Welcome to the new She of the Wild!

As you may have seen on my other social media platforms, things have been moving and shaking in my internet world as I reimagined what I'm hoping to be and do, and how I want to do it. I am moving internet homes -- as soon as I can figure out how to move my old site's blog posts over (argh! SquareSpace is defying me on this matter), www.bethmorey.com will lead to here.

So, what's up with all the blog posts here on She of the Wild predating the one you're reading now? Well, when I originally purchased the domain name, my vision was to discuss why a sacred feminine is important. However, while still a topic I find important, it is not only not my strength, but also not where I want to pour much of my energy.

But "she of the wild" is still an important theme for me. It speaks of coming into one's own, of doing the authentic thing, and following the soul's leadings, wildly, timidly, and/or with excitement. The important thing is the following. (Plus I have some pretty wild hair.)

Also, "she of the wild," is a direct reference to Artemis, an archetype with whom I feel a strong resonance. Artemis was abandoned at birth, is a huntress who defends vulnerable women and children (including during childbirth, which I found both exciting and intriguing) when I discovered this about the virgin huntress during my last pregnancy), and is associated with bears. She's something of a wild woman, a forest dweller who stands against [largely male-perpetrated] injustice.

All of this speaks deeply to me. When the phrase "she of the wild" popped into my head one morning in January 2015, a quick google search revealed all this to me, and I hurriedly nabbed the domain name.

And so, here we are. She of the Wild.

She who is true to herself. She who is wildly, full, unabashedly herself. She who loves big. She who creates. She who is equal parts strength and softness. She who knows that beauty is much more of an inside job than an outside one.

What can you expect to find in this space now that I've rebranded? 

For starters, you'll see usings on:

• writing + creativity
• indie authorship
• making in the midst of motherhood + the busy-ness of life
• self-care

You'll also probably occasionally see some words on grief + babyloss (particularly around October and November), guest posts by other delicious writers, and, yep, thoughts on spirituality + the divine feminine.

So, welcome. I am very glad you're here.

To the Daughters

Daughters of the world,

I see you.  I see you, girl-children and babies and girls-becoming-women.  I see you on my daily journeyings to the grocery store and gym and tumbling on the playgrounds and in my friends' arms, and I hope you won't forget your wildness.

I don't need to know you to see your spirit, the fire in your eyes.  There are people who will try to quench those flames, and some who will fan them with you.  I hope you find more of the latter, and show the former your glorious teeth.

Because you are glorious.  And it's your you-ness that makes you so.  Don't forget.

The world has rules, so many rules, and a lot of them are about women, and a lot of those keep women small, stifled, afraid.  You don't have to live by those rules, although it helps to know what they are.  You have a choice.  You always have a choice.  Listen to your gut, for your wisdom lives inside.

I hope you will live big.  I hope that you will sing your soul's song, bold and beautiful, and paint your story upon our hearts with the colors of your love.  I hope you will never stop playing, asking, experimenting, trying.  I hope you won't listen to the ones who tell you your dreams are stupid/silly/impossible. 

I hope you will show up to your own life, precious and singular as it is.

I hope that if our paths should happen to cross again in ten years or twenty or more, that your eyes will still be blazing.  But know that if they're not, that if somehow, somewhere along the way your fire was quenched, it's not too late.  It's never too late to build those flames again.  Let us gather the kindling together.

And daughters, know that you are so valuable.  Not because of your mate or your children or your job or your doings, although those may all be very important, and part of your soul's calling.  And certainly not because of how small a corner you are able to fold yourself away into at the subtle but powerful request of so many.  But you are what makes your worth.  Your being-alive-ness. 

Don't forget.

You are powerful and visceral and mysterious and deliciously primal.  You are light and darkness and everything in between.  You are soul-made-flesh, a miracle of sass and spirit and sinew. 

Don't forget.  Don't forget.