A Family-Life Lession from my Birthday Bird

November is my birthday month.

Actually one of the important details of my birth was that although I was expected to arrive at Christmas time I ended up interrupting my family’s Thanksgiving plans instead. And it is maybe because of this that I like to joke (with an element of truth) that… 

…the Turkey is my spirit animal.

To many Native Americans, the Turkey is known as the “Give-Away” Bird… she is a symbol of nourishment, abundance, generosity and also sacrifice. She gives herself away so that others may thrive. 

As a parent, or a nurturer, you might find yourself, like me, naturally and endlessly giving to your child(ren). You give your time, your energy, your money, your attention, your love, so forth and so on. Most days that type of giving feels joyful and life-supporting. But we all know the feeling of when giving gets out of balance and the feeling of depletion that follows.

The Turkey might say, “What you do for others, you do for yourself.”

What a beautiful thought, and yet there are limits. You don’t need to lay yourself down on the ‘dinner table’ of family life in selfless sacrifice ;) Because it's also true that,

“What you do for yourself, you do for others.”

Perhaps the most important lesson you can glean from the Give-Away Bird is the need to maintain your own abundance, so that you may sustain your generosity. And when you notice that you are beginning to feel depleted, do what you need to do to recharge. Because giving can only be continued in balance with being replenished.

Keep being the awesome and giving parents that I know you are.
Just don’t forget to be equally awesome towards yourselves.
What's good for you, is great for your kids.