Maternal inspiring testimonial; The sanctuary of my womb

"A shared vision of the motherhood journey, infused with a powerful spiritual message. Written by a fellow pediatrician, Dr. Lillian Rivera, it offers a unique perspective on the profound experience of being a mother."

Over the years, one becomes more thoughtful and intentional with their words and actions. Life becomes a privilege and a delight that you want to savor slowly, sip by sip, so as not to lose it among the everyday and trivial.

In these days full of activities and tasks, as I prepare for the anticipated transition to an empty nest, scenes from my children's childhood passed before my eyes, like old movies projected with nostalgia: laughter, amazement, moments that transformed me as a woman, as a wife and as a human being.

My children taught me to love unconditionally, to forgive and try again, to believe beyond what is seen, to strive to be a better person and to exercise self-control. I learned tenderness, spontaneity, and to value that, although they are my children, each one is unique. I learned to love with sacrifice, to deny myself for the love of others. I learned to love even before I had seen them.

Through them I knew the love of God. If I, being imperfect, was able to love like this... how much more does He love me? I learned to pray without ceasing and in faith. I found the courage to face giants and defeat them, so that they would not be passed on to the next generation. I learned to shrink so that they would grow. And I understood that it's not about me.

One day I woke up thinking, "What am I going to do with three empty rooms in this house?" And then I said to myself, laughing, "Don't be so dramatic, you'll make something up."

Between weddings, graduations, engagements, moves of my children and the children of my family and friends, a few days passed when I found myself thinking: *How beautiful it is to be a mother*.

For obvious reasons, I avoided meditating too much on the subject. For years I would get melancholy. But in these days, a phrase came to me, provoking great amazement: "My womb is a sacred sanctuary where You formed my children with Your hands."

And I was silent, amazed. What a divine privilege to have been part of bringing life, of forming human beings who today walk the world. And how spectacular it is to recognize that my features and those of my beloved husband are burnished on their faces, and in their hearts, my words, my prayers and those of my generations before me, who believed for them before they even existed.

To all those who, like me, celebrate the privilege of being mothers, may they understand how special you are to God. And to every child: may you never stop treasuring what that woman did for you.

To my children and my beloved husband: Thank you for your patience, for loving me, for making me laugh and for giving me such genuine happiness. You have been my school, my joy and my greatest gift.

To those who read me: I invite you to stop and contemplate the miracle of life, to value the beauty of being co-participants in the sacred process of bringing life into the world. If you are a mother, remember that you have been chosen for the *Celestial BootCamp* of unconditional love, total surrender and the deepest personal transformation.

And to all of us who are – or have been – children: Bless, in spite of everything, the one who gave you the opportunity to exist. Life itself is reason enough to be thankful.

Myth: Your Freedom Must Be "Used Up" First

The Freedom Myth: Why Having a Baby Doesn't Mean the End of "You"

For years, many have bought into a pervasive myth. It's the insidious whisper that suggests true freedom—travel, spontaneity, late nights, career climbing—must be "used up" before one even considers having a baby. This narrative often paints parenthood as a giant, freedom-devouring monster, leaving only a shadow of a person's former self behind.

This perspective can lead to picturing a pre-baby life as a checklist of experiences to conquer: backpacking through distant lands, mastering new skills, achieving career milestones, attending countless events. The underlying assumption, of course, is that having a baby is a sacrifice of self, a complete abandonment of one's existing identity.

This notion often surfaces in conversations, with remarks like, "We just want to get a few more trips in," or "I'm not ready to give up my weekends." It can feel like a race against the clock, a desperate attempt to squeeze every last drop of "free" life out of one's twenties and thirties before the inevitable arrival of a child.

However, a different perspective, powerfully articulated in books like "Upgrade Your Life, Have a Baby," challenges this very myth head-on. Such insights encourage a confrontation of the idea that perhaps, just perhaps, the understanding of "freedom" might be fundamentally flawed.

What if freedom isn't just about the absence of responsibility? What if it's not about an endless pursuit of external experiences, but about the ability to choose one's life, to define one's own happiness, and to create something profoundly meaningful?

The reality, as many discover and as explored in works like "Upgrade Your Life, Have a Baby," is far more nuanced and, frankly, liberating. Having a baby doesn't "use up" freedom; it transforms it.

Spontaneous trips might look different—perhaps involving a stroller and a meticulously packed diaper bag, but the joy of discovery remains. Late nights are often replaced by early mornings, but the quiet moments with a child as the world awakens can be incredibly precious. Career paths might shift, but the new skills developed as a parent—patience, problem-solving, unconditional love—are invaluable in every aspect of life.

The biggest revelation for many is that their identity doesn't disappear; it expands. Individuals remain themselves, but now they are also parents. Passions don't vanish; they find new avenues of expression. The value placed on personal growth and adventure broadens to include the incredible journey of raising a human being.

This isn't to say that parenthood isn't challenging. It absolutely is. There are moments of exhaustion, frustration, and doubt. But these moments are often intertwined with profound joy, boundless love, and a sense of purpose many never anticipated.

So, if the "freedom must be used up" myth holds sway, it's worth reconsidering. Don't let a rigid, outdated definition of freedom dictate life's timeline or dreams. Embrace the possibility that having a baby isn't an end to freedom, but a beautiful, transformative evolution of it. It's an opportunity to redefine what truly makes one feel alive, and to discover a freedom previously unimagined. For more insights on this very topic, consider exploring "Upgrade Your Life, Have a Baby" and similar resources that challenge conventional thinking about parenthood and personal fulfillment.

What's In It for You? Upgrade Personal Perks

If you are contemplating or debating upgrading by having a baby, you are probably asking yourself “What's really in it for me, beyond the sleepless nights? how does having a child actually contribute to upgrading my life?” The book explores the deeply personal, often unexpected, benefits that come with the territory.

The book digs into the real-deal perks:

·         The kind of joy you can't imagine until you feel it Chapter 1

·         The great priority shift that clarifies what truly matters Chapter 2

·         The chance to build a lasting legacy of Love Chapter 3

·         The surprising ways you level-up yourself through unforeseen growth Chapter 4

·         Understanding parenthood as a profound gift, not a sacrifice Chapter 5

"Am I ready for this?"

"Am I ready for this?" If you're waiting to feel 100% perfectly prepared before considering the parenthood upgrade, spoiler alert: you'll be waiting forever.   The idea of achieving perfect readiness is one of the biggest myths out there. Many myths can cause anxiety and fear about having a baby. Chapter 8 addresses these myths, along with other worries that may hold you back from this important decision. This week let’s explore the first myth: You’re more prepared than you think.

I postponed having my first child until I finished my pediatric training because it required night shifts and long hours. When I felt ready, it took 5 years to get pregnant. When I finally became pregnant, I experienced a joy I had never felt before, which helped me cope with the hormonal changes and morning sickness (morning sickness which lasted all day). Was I truly prepared for parenthood? I thought my training would equip me, but I quickly discovered that I had to learn as I went. Parenting is the ultimate on-the-job training. Parenthood wasn't without its stumbles – none catastrophic, just the everyday learning curves. Those very experiences, the mistakes I navigated, became unexpected lessons that later equipped me to support other parents. Despite the inevitable challenges, my sons have grown into successful and responsible men. Perfection wasn't the goal; heartfelt effort was. Raising them has been the most profoundly rewarding journey of my life, eclipsing even my career achievements.