I made a Spotify playlist to help us stay on the bright and sunny side this winter!
Monday, December 28, 2020
Welcome, Indie Oaks
INDIE OAKS NIVEN
We brought our sweet little girl into the world during a Christmas snowstorm! Born on December 27th at the WNC Birth Center in Asheville, North Carolina. I can’t wait to sit down and write about your wild journey into this big, beautiful world.
12.27.2020 1:09am 8.15 lbs 20.5 inches
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Soul Chat: CAVE DAYS
Hi dear ones,
I'm popping out of my cave to say "hello" and that I hope you are doing well! Although I am in hermit mode, I am still thinking about you and praying for you, my golden threads!
There is a New Moon approaching, along with a Solar Eclipse AND Winter Solstice is right around the corner! Phew, who has time to think about Christmas when so much is happening with the current astrology. Ha, Ha. Just kidding. I'm kind of a Christmas nerd. There is always time for Christmas in my house. We put our tree up a few nights ago. All of the bottom ornaments keep disappearing, because River thinks it's hilarious to take them off just so he can watch me put them back on. I thought my days of half decorated trees were over when our cat, Happy, grew out of his kitten phase . . . Oh, well. . . 'tis the season.
I made this little video last night due to a spontaneous burst of energy that I'm guessing was generated from the same hormones that have me running around organizing every little nook- the "nesting" is real! Anyway, it's just a short little update from my cave, as well as, a loving, invitation for you to go inward, too. <3
I mean we live in such a pressure-filled, production-focused world. We gotta take time to slow down and rest. Ya'll, these cave days have been EVERYTHING. I feel grounded, less anxious, well-rested and super focused. But I know what you are thinking. When is there ever a time to slow down?? And rest? Ha! What is that? I know. I know. The guilt for going against the collective norm is REAL. It doesn't seem possible. UNTIL, you figure out how to just freaking do it. Even in a small way such as breaking away from Social Media or un-consuming from all the spam in your inbox. Or how about saying "no" to some social obligations. (which honestly should be pretty easy right now) If this pandemic has gifted us with anything good, it's the fact that we have an excuse to sloooooooow down. To stop doing so much. Stop trying to be in a thousand different places. Stop trying to accomplish fifty things before the next week.
Let's take a cue from Nature, and get cozy in our dens. Slow down, sleep longer and tune in. As in: TUNE INWARDS. Take time for yourself to listen to your own thoughts and feelings and adjust your life accordingly. This is our time. As women, it's time for us to separate from value systems that aren't serving us. It's time to honor our own feelings and to find home within our own true Self. Please, I urge you to take this time to re-connect with yourSelf. Turn the dial down on the outside world. Get into your body. Root into your own Spirit. Dive into the beautiful, intuitive Self that is waiting for you. Cry the tears. Feel the sadness. Let the Anger transmute into Passion. All of those feelings that we bottle up and push down so well . . . FEEL them. They are our greatest gift. They are our guide.
More on: Cave Days
Cave Days are not just about disconnecting. They are about re-focusing. They are about re-connecting with ourselves. It can be as simple as a mental shift. What is truly necessary in your life? Cave Days are about living simply and living wholly. Stripping away everything that you don't need and re-focusing on things that nourish you. Like good sleep, clean foods, warm baths and family dinners. Cave Days can break habitual patterns like always checking your phone in bed or reaching for more sugar to sooth your stress or always over committing yourself from having weak boundaries.
The still, cold, quiet winter season affords us the space to get clear about the next chapter of our lives. As long as we cut out the noise, rest, reset and listen with our hearts open. We are who we've been waiting for. Here's to retreating to our personal caves, whatever that may look like and getting clear on what needs to shift and change in our lives. Here's to being strong women who intentionally choose to live mindful and passionate lives! Here's to showing up with a full glass. Here's to living into our fullness and to being ALIVE and well.
I love each and every one of you. As I get closer and closer to bringing my daughter into the world, I can't help but get all teary eyed about the simple fact of what it is like being a woman in today's world. It's a lot. But I have so much hope for her generation. Well . . . and ours! We have come so far and I am grateful to be on the journey with you.
As always, thanks for walking with me.
Love, Amber
PS: I'd love to hear from you! Let me know what's up in your life. Are you in a cave? Have you put up a tree? Are you feeling Christmas anxiety? What's up?
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
"Bringing Yoga to Life" Reflections
Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi was inspiring, informative and the perfect companion as I began my Yoga Teacher Training. Although, it took me a bit longer to read, I enjoyed the slow pace as it allowed me to really sink my teeth into the words and digest the content. I underlined many passages and dog-eared several pages.
I resonated with so much of what Donna speaks about; however I appreciated the “Yoga as a Life Practice” chapter the most. Being pregnant and raising a toddler, I am forced to experience my yoga practice in a new way. I no longer have the ability to practice for long periods of time at the same time everyday. In a lot of ways my mothering has become my practice. I love how she talks about how life gives us opportunities to stay centered and to “let the task or the distraction become your practice.” She states clearly that “we can draw no definitie line between formal practice and everyday life.” That being said, I understand that formal practice is important and am aware of the peace that comes from this form of devotion. I just love that Donna points out that Yoga goes beyond that mat.
"when we choose to stay with our practice despite the inevitable highs and lows in our lives, we are actively choosing to focus our awareness on that part of us that is unchanging." - D. Farhi
I also really enjoyed the chapter on discipline as this is something I am always trying to cultivate in my life. Donna says, “when we choose to stay with our practice despite the inevitable highs and lows in our lives, we are actively choosing to focus our awareness on that part of us that is unchanging.” As someone who is ruled by her emotions, this chapter and the chapter titled “the Riptide of Strong Emotions” were both inspiring and encouraging to me. I believe somewhere Donna says: “practice anyway”. That was my mantra that best connected me with my intention throughout this Yoga Training. I may feel uninspired, frustrated, distracted, depressed but I tell myself to practice anyway- in whatever capacity. I made it a goal to get on my mat even if it was just to sit for five minutes and check in.
I often wonder why it is so hard to do the things we know will bring us happiness, health, wealth, etc. Why are we so resistant to devoting ourselves to the things that we know will be good for us? Well, Donna does a great job at explaining why that resistance sticks around. She says in the chapter of “The Freedom of Discipline”, that “resistance to practice occurs when we have not yet formed a clear intention. Until we form a clear intention, we cannot rally our energy and align with our goal.”
On day one of this training, Kelsey asked us to form our intention, or rather let our intention arise during our meditation. I had already given this some thought and made notes about it in my training manual. There were lots of goals and aspirations- things like, “to dive deeper into my curiosity of yoga, to connect with others on the same path, to learn what I needed to be a teacher, to gain confidence, to be a guide, to serve, to embody a strong, steady and peaceful spirit.” Then during the meditation the word: “becoming” came to me and I knew that this is why I was here. To become the true version of myself, to continue the work of untangling the limits and lies and conditioning. To become the vision I hold for myself. To become united in body, mind and soul. To become the teacher and the student.
So daily I remind myself, to practice anyway and trust in the process of becoming. My yoga practice is evolving just as life itself is.
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Life Update: I'm Going Inward
𓊓 I’m retreating to the cave. 𓊓
I’m getting cozy in my inner sanctuary this lunar cycle. Pressing pause on social media and other external content like podcasts and blogs because my mind is NOISY. I’m choosing to prioritize deep rest and play. Focusing on CREATING art- doing the soul work that doesn’t happen on here. CONSUMING LESS and taking time to integrate everything that 2020 has taught me. Wow. We all have so much to digest, right??
This upcoming New Moon has been an invitation that I can’t ignore. An invitation to reset, reassess my path and connect with the wisdom within. To meet the muse, the wise woman, the wild woman. To strip everything down to bare bones like the naked trees outside my window. To go underground and tend to the sacred seeds I planted in April. To spend more time cuddling with River, loving Josh, baking pies, writing the hard stuff, writing thank you letters, finishing poems, traveling the realms, immersing myself in my Yoga practice, tightening my circle, preparing for birth, taking baths, nesting, reading, listening, reflecting and taking good care. 💛
Sunday, November 1, 2020
We got married!
I'm officially a Niven! We tied the knot under the Full Halloween Moon.
Here are some snapshots from the event. It was so sweet and special. Since we are in the midst of a pandemic, we kept the guest list small but luckily there is Zoom . . . so there's that.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Welcome, Fall. We are ready to learn from you.
Hi readers,
Are you, too, a fellow FALL FANATIC?! I am a PROUD pumpkin latte, pumpkin pie, apple pie, sweater wearing, Casper the Friendly Ghost, campfire smores, candles burning, Neil Young playing, corn maze, hay ride, Fall Festival Fool!
Goodness. Love me some Fall. I live in Appalachia where the leaves cast a spell on every passerby. It’s in my blood. I am Fall. I mean, I am a Scorpio so that is true.
Ok, let’s get to the medicine.
We are now in the Autumn season, moving inward from the yang energy of Summer. It’s time to sloooooooooow things down, let things change and dance in with the wind. If there is one thing Fall wants us to get clear, it’s that it’s time to LET IT ALL GO. But how do we know what needs to go and what needs to stay? We listen. We watch. Our bodies are telling us. Nature is telling us. There are things trying so desperately to get out of your latch. Just let them go. Surrender to the process. Stop hanging on.
What is underneath the surface?
Yes, you might need to let go of some old clothes or things. Yes, you may need to drop out of a commitment or let go of an opportunity. But let’s go deeper, shall we. What are we clinging to for dear life? What fears are limiting us? What attachments and thought patterns are controlling our every breath? Why do you have so many things you feel like you need to let go of? Ahhhh. Perhaps it’s time to let go of that pain, that heartache. Or that thing you are using to fill the void. Is it time to release the Fear of what others think? Can you let go of your desire to control, plan, schedule your life? Can you surrender to the mystery and cycles of nature?
Ouch. This is hard work. I know.
Ok, while you ponder all of that. Here is something else to consider about this season we are all in. Some good news. It’s not all about letting go!
🍃 A Time of Balance.🍂
We often think of fall as a time for letting go. As we watch the leaves change from green to brown and eventually watch as they swirl from branch to ground, we can easily reflect on what we need to let go of in our lives. To make space for the new little buds that will sprout in Spring.
But let’s shift our attention for a moment. There are also things that bloom in the Fall. There are births that take place and young lives that are growing. There are campfires, gatherings and celebrations. There is much to celebrate and much to do. We can hold our attention on letting go, but not so much that we get swept up in the past and forget to be present in the moment.
Let us not get too caught up in the theme of death and grieving. Although important, there is certainly more to Fall than letting go like the leaves.
🍁What is Fall teaching you this year? 🍁
Perhaps, this Fall you aren’t being asked to prepare for a long, silent winter. Maybe Fall is preparing you for a time of thriving- a time of full expression of life. As I think about my own life, I will be birthing my second child in the midst of Winter. I will be knee-deep in Yoga Teacher Training and half way through a book I am writing. Personally, I feel as though this Fall is not about transitioning into hibernation, migration or cocooning. I feel the opposite this Fall. Like, I am preparing for a marathon. (Ha, isn’t that what newborn days are like?)
⚖️ Bottom line. I think Fall is teaching us most about BALANCE through transitions.
Fall says, “Yes, prepare for your sacred journey ahead. Prepare for winter. Prepare for your new baby and set yourself up for a successful manuscript completion. Do all these things that help to bring you joy. Let go of your creative blocks, material stuff and personal fears. Make space for the new buds. Do the work. Set the routines. Stock the Pantry.”
AND
Fall says, “Celebrate. Give Thanks. Gather. Take time to honor yourself and each other and this Life. Rejoice in your abundance of work. Rejoice in your community, friendships and circles. Rejoice for your health and your ability to provide for your family. Rejoice in your own Self. Celebrate. Give Thanks. Gather.”
🙏🏻
I hope you enjoy these WonderFull days of fresh breezes and warm colors. Find some time to think about what Fall means for you this year. May you find the strength and spirit to enjoy the changing seasons with Grace and Ease. I love you.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Happy Becoming Parents Day, to my love!
Our whole lives changed when we became parents to River. We have learned to operate as a team of three. Actually, we are still learning that and soon we will be learning how to do life as a party of 4. Someone always wants to be the boss around here... we are learning how to be deeply patient, compassionate, understanding and calm during chaos. The birthing process started 2 years ago today when I woke up at 5am and realized River was beginning his journey into the world. So we are making it a tradition to celebrate our Rite of Passage of becoming parents each year. Because that whole day was the most divine thing we have yet to experience. And it deserves a special honoring time forever and ever amen.
We are keeping the good stuff in sight and building a strong family foundation and I couldn’t be more proud. Sending love to everyone who has helped us get this far. What a journey! What an honor! 🙏🥰
Happy Becoming Parents Day, Babe! I love you!!!
Friday, September 25, 2020
Initiation into Parenthood: Our NICU Journey.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the moments right after River was born. Every other day this month, I have a flash back to our time in the NICU and how truly traumatic it all was. Thank goodness, these people were there for us. Reminding us that we are strong and so is our new little boy.
It got me thinking about the healing process and how insanely wise our bodies are. There wasn’t time to process the turn of events. I was a mom, now. I had to put on a brave face and keep this little guy alive. There was a lot to learn and do. So the emotions would just have to wait as best they could. Now, this doesn’t mean I was cool, calm and collected. I had my moments of uncontrollable tears and trembling fear; however, I’m realizing now just how much my body absorbed and stored so that I could get through what I needed to. The feelings would be there to process later.
We are two years into parenthood and I still find myself, more often than not, reliving the first moments of becoming a mother.
Let me set the scene.
I had just birthed my first baby. Naturally. It was approximately 12 hours from when I began having major contractions to the moment he took his first breath. Let me say that again. Twelve hours in this unknown place, where you are just along for a wild, dark ride and just trying to keep breathing. It’s uncomfortable and otherworldly, like a bad trip with lots of pain.
Once River was born, all was well in the world. I was sinking into the bed in the most euphoric state of bliss. Feeling the most powerful I have ever felt. The pillows and blankets swallowing me as River laid on my chest holding my finger. The smell of birth billowed through the room. He wasn’t bloody like I thought he would be. Instead, he was clean and sweet smelling. I kissed all over his head. Josh was right beside me basking in the sight of his son.
Fast Breathing
The midwives came in periodically to check his breathing. It was a little choppy, but “nothing to be alarmed about,” they reassured us. “We are going to send you to the hospital just so we can double check everything out with an expert.”
When our midwives explained that an ambulance would come to get us because it was protocol everything seemed so fine and normal. They did an excellent job at keeping us calm. I didn’t like the idea of riding in the ambulance without Josh, but it was only a 3 minute drive. For some reason, I pictured us arriving at the hospital and the respiratory doctor meeting us in the parking lot to have a quick listen and give us the ok to go home. That’s the picture our midwives were painting. Looking back, I know it was for the best, but just imagine the shock it created when that’s not what happened . . . at all.
As if the whole 24 hours leading up to being wheeled away in an ambulance wasn’t traumatic enough. . . we were now entering another event that would stretch us and eventually break us into a million tiny pieces.
River and I get wheeled into the Emergency room on a gurney and are instantly met with a whole slew of people- it felt like what happens on T.V.- doctors and nurses briskly walking and talking to each other while you are left completely in the dark as they speak in code. They take my baby out of my arms and put him a plastic tub. The tears well up inside me, but I know I have to be strong. I have to pay attention and be present. They help me into in a wheel chair and Josh re-joins me as we make our way up the elevator. River goes in another direction. (why, I’m not completely certain)
We find ourselves completely unraveling. Things were getting serious fast and we were left wondering so much- too much. This was not supposed to happen.
The Diagnosis
Standing in an open room with other sick babies and doctors and nurses- they give us the news- River had phnemonia (they think) and would have to stay overnight to be treated.
I’m tempted to say that a wave of emotions flooded over us, but that doesn’t quite articulate the feelings we were having. Hold tight. I’ll figure out something else.
As if the thought of our freshly birthed baby, sleeping in a hospital on his first night outside of the womb, wasn’t enough to knock us off our feet . . . we proceeded to hear the words:
“you can’t stay here. we are out of rooms and since you didn’t birth here. . .we don’t have a room for you”
Wait, wait wait. HOLD UP. What did you just say?
I swear I thought you said that I would have to leave my baby here and go someplace else? As in, exit the building or wait in an anxiety and fear ridden waiting room??
Josh and I look at each other with enough disappear that it would send even the most joful person into instant depression. We cry. NO. We wail. We sob. Snot dripping everywhere. Completely disheveled and delirious. In the middle of a swarm of polished medial professional. Me, with birth juices and body fluid still caked to my back side and lower half.
We were just coming off the most intense, dramatic and TRAUMATIC night of our lives.
Hope springs forth when a nurse announces that a transitional room was becoming available. We could stay in the room but River would have to stay in the ward for at least one night. “Fine,” I thought. This is happening and I’m not leaving him.
My parents were already on the way home to Tennessee but came back the second they heard the news. It was nice having them with me for the short time, but they had to leave once visitation ended.
The First Night
That first night. Oh my gosh, that first night. I get knots in my stomach just thinking about it. I was all alone with River. Well, kind of. We were in a giant ward with about ten other babies, separated by a thick curtain. I could hear everything- from the beeping machines to the little newborn wails and the nurse’s feet shuffling back and forth. It was freezing, as all hospitals seem to be. It smelled sterile, yet sickly at the same time. Like someone just threw up in a new car. Everything seemed unnatural- from the cords that River was attached to and the humming machines and the fact that I wasn’t laying next him with our skin touching. There were no other moms around.
I was so unsure of my motherly skills, but I tried my best to trust my intuition. I found myself bouncing him through out the night swaying back in forth in the 4 foot space we had. I was so nervous about holding him the right way and I didn’t want to mess up his cords, especially his IV. I was so tired. Goodness, was I tired. The only thing keeping me awake during the night feedings was the adrenaline. Which by the way, did I mention that breastfeeding is not easy and I was forced to figure it out during this unexpected nightmare.
I don’t remember praying, which is weird for me. And I think it was because I was completely swept away by the whole thing. I was mentally floating someplace else for a while. I guess it was my body’s way of keeping me spiraling emotionally.
I think one of the night nurses noticed the hollowness in my face and most likely picked up on the fact that I had no idea what I was doing. She checked-in on me many times. She would politely try to teach me a better way to calm river without me getting all “hey, I got this. Don’t tell me how to hold my baby” on her. Anyway, she made me this care package of all sorts of things I needed that I didn’t know I needed. Like Tucks pads and cheap chocolate. She reminded me that I had just went through a major thing- giving birth and all. I needed to make sure I was taking care of myself – ya know, down there.
Josh was sleeping in the room with all of stuff for the week. I wished he were right beside me.
It was the longest night of my life.
More hard lessons.
We moved to our room the next afternoon and spent the next six nights there. Josh and I sleeping together on a plastic couch that was smaller than a twin bed. Although, it didn’t really matter what size the bed was because we could barely sleep anyway. I was up every hour to nurse, pump and document River’s diapers and food intake. The nurses would interrupt us every few hours to give River his medicine and check his vitals.
The night that River had to get a new IV in because the one in his arm fell out was the worst. I was still getting used to hearing my child cry. The sound of his little voice alerting me that something was wrong – that he needed me was foreign and at the same time so intimate.
The nurses tried time and time again to get the IV replaced in his arms but his veins kept busting. So they tried his hand and then they tried his foot. I was clenching my whole body throughout the whole process, trying my best to absorb any pain he was feeling. They both looked at each other with a sort of look their eyes where I knew they were about to give me bad news.
“We are going to try a vein in his head. It looks really scary, but it’s actually not that bad.” They assured me that it was easier than trying to find a vein anywhere else. But I couldn’t help but feel even worse, thinking about my newborn being poked and prodded.
I had to leave the room. I felt guilty for not being able to stay. I felt weak. I went to the private nursing room to pump, while I called my mom crying. I wanted to be standing beside River, but my heart couldn’t take it. This might have been the first lesson in discerning when I needed to take care of myself first.
A Blessing in Disguise
Although spending our first week as a family in the hospital was not ideal; it was a wonderful learning experience for me. I got so much support from the nurses and doctors around caring for an infant and breastfeeding. I’m not sure how I could figure out how to swaddle, bathe a newborn and store breastmilk properly if we hadn’t ended up in the hospital’s care. I guess I would be doing a lot of googling and calling my mom.
Meeting River and getting to know him in a foreign place was a bumpy start to my new journey of becoming a Mother, but it made coming come that much sweeter and precious.
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