Pillow Talk + Discovering Your Strength
I'll admit it… I spend an insane amount of time putting my kids to sleep. And no, they are no longer babies. Nobody needs to be bathed, changed, or nursed by me.
In fact, when my kids were little and bedtime took forever (please don't take baby sleep advice from me, lol), I used to long for the day I'd “get my nights back.”
Little did I know that now, with older kids, a new era has arrived—one I absolutely love:
The era of pillow talk.
It seems that once the lights are dimmed and our bodies soften into warm sheets, my kids' minds open up in these magical ways that light up everything in my own depth- and connection-seeking soul.
In general, the older I get, and the more precious my time and energy feel, the less interested I am in surface talk. I want depth and meaning. Connection and realness. Laughter and authenticity.
And that's exactly what happens in these quiet moments right before my kids drift off to sleep. With the distractions of the day gone and the stimulation dialed down, there is this beautiful space that opens up for vulnerability, honesty, and connection.
It was during one of these evenings, just when I thought my little one was already half asleep, that he suddenly perked up and said:
“Mom, my strength comes from my kindness and my curiosity.”
So many emotions flooded through me in that moment.
Pride.
Admiration.
Love.
Hope.
This is my kid who sometimes struggles with being misunderstood by his peers, but who loves animals and nature and brings so much joy to strangers wherever he goes. Cashiers at the grocery store. Baristas at coffee shops. Construction workers. People in line at the airport. Anyone walking a dog.
He has made endless strangers smile and chuckle.
So yes, he is absolutely right. His kindness, paired with his boundless curiosity, is his source of strength—because he sees and feels the positive impact it has on the world around him.
The truth is, we gain strength, confidence, and healthy self-esteem from what we give—and from witnessing the positive impact our actions have in the world.
Of course, receiving matters too. But sometimes I worry that we live in a world—especially online—that is overly focused on the self: the presenting, the grooming, the perfecting. And we forget that real strength comes from seeing yourself add true value to the world you live in.
That's why in today's Self-Quest I want to invite you to engage with these questions:
Where does your strength come from?
Which of your gifts, when expressed, create a positive impact around you that you love witnessing?
As always you can use these questions as journal prompts, talk them through with a friend, or just think about them on a solo walk.
With love as always
Caroline
