Growing Breasts – The Reflection of my Life in my Breasts

by Anonymous

As a little girl I looked forward to having breasts, I wanted to look like my Barbie dolls and I knew my breasts were going to be beautiful. When my breasts started to grow at around age eleven I was excited and although it was painful I embraced the way my body was changing. At this time my mum had recently begun a new relationship and moved in with her new partner and she began to seem uncomfortable with the changes happening to my body. One day my mum sat me down and told me in no uncertain terms that my new breasts must be kept hidden at all times. I was not allowed to wear strappy nightgowns or clothing anymore, even if it was a 35-degree summer. She also said that this order had come directly from her new partner. Continue reading “Growing Breasts – The Reflection of my Life in my Breasts”

Motherhood & Detachment: an Essential Element to True Love

by Bianca Barban, Melbourne, Australia

One of my roles in life is being a mother. I am blessed with 2 children, a daughter, 8yrs and a son, 7yrs. At times I have found motherhood and detachment difficult, mostly because I have been enmeshed in my children’s lives, taking on every emotion they feel and putting their needs before my own. Continue reading “Motherhood & Detachment: an Essential Element to True Love”

Parenting – Letting Go

by Nicole Serafin, Age 41, Tintenbar, NSW

At what point as a parent do we let go and allow our children to make their own decisions?

This is something I have always pondered on since the birth of our first child just over 5 years ago.

While our daughter was progressing through the baby stages I would feel what was needed for her, asking myself: Continue reading “Parenting – Letting Go”

My Right Breast – Finding Me Beneath the Cancer

by Fiona McGovern, BA PGCE, Isle of Arran, Scotland 

For some months now, when I lay in bed or in a warm bath I have been holding my right breast, the one where the cancerous tumor is… the tissue is softening around the tumor.

At first I expected to feel something, waiting to feel that womanliness I had always missed. I wanted to feel something grand or perhaps simply warmth – but in truth there was nothing. What I was feeling was the deep level of disconnection I had to me and to me as a woman. Continue reading “My Right Breast – Finding Me Beneath the Cancer”

Esoteric Breast Massage – Opening up a Relationship with My Breasts

by Anonymous

I had my first routine breast exam with my GP around the age of 25. This experience was incredibly traumatic for me despite the fact that my lovely doctor carried out the exam in a very gentle, caring and respectful way. As my doctor carried out the exam I completely left my body; I felt like bursting into tears as deep feelings of shame and humiliation consumed me. I decided that I would rather have undetected breast cancer than put myself through something so horrible ever again, and that my first breast exam would also be my very last. Continue reading “Esoteric Breast Massage – Opening up a Relationship with My Breasts”

Body Talk – I Love the Way my Ovaries, Absent Periods and Fingers all Speak to Me!

by Priscila, 35yrs, UK

I never paid much attention or given much importance to my little finger (or any of my fingers), not until something affected them would I notice.

Have you ever had a finger cut from a sheet of paper? Yes, a sheet of paper! I didn’t know how sharp a sheet of paper could be until I cut myself with one by accident… or should I say by perhaps being distracted with multi-tasking?! And then you have to use your hands for cooking, writing, dressing yourself, having a shower etc. and realise how it affects your activities and how much you miss your little finger (and it hurts too!). Until that moment I had no idea I had a little finger! And more so, that a finger could actually ‘speak’!!!! How our body talks to us is amazing. Continue reading “Body Talk – I Love the Way my Ovaries, Absent Periods and Fingers all Speak to Me!”

When is the Right Time to Stop Breastfeeding?

by Nicole Serafin, age 41 years, Tintenbar, NSW, Australia

A challenge faced by many women no doubt, not just myself.

There is so much pressure out there on women to not only breastfeed but also how long they should breastfeed for. This is compounded by the conflicting articles and information, often making women feel guilty if they stop feeding too early or even the other way around, feeling criticised if they breastfeed for too long.

So what is the right amount of time to feed for? Continue reading “When is the Right Time to Stop Breastfeeding?”

True Beauty in a Woman’s Walk

by Shevon Simon, London, UK  

One day this week I was walking through some gardens at lunchtime. The sun was bright and it was warm and suddenly I spotted a woman walking with her friend. What struck me was the way this young woman was walking. Her walk was what I would describe as ‘True Beauty’. Continue reading “True Beauty in a Woman’s Walk”

Esoteric Breast Massage – Helping me with Anxiety

by Rosie Bason, Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia

I realised yesterday after having an Esoteric Breast Massage (EBM) that I have accepted abuse in my life in so many ways, even when my body feels anxiety, being invaded or uncomfortable I have learnt a way to deal with it and not realised or accepted that it is a form of abuse. Continue reading “Esoteric Breast Massage – Helping me with Anxiety”