Happy International Women's Day!
In the spirit of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re sharing this moving poem “Breathe” by Becky Hemsley. As a 100% female-led small business, all of us on the Inseus team can relate to feeling unseen, unheard, and “not enough”—whether that’s been at work, in classrooms, or even from the internal dialogue in our own heads! This poem reminds us that our dreams are important and our voices matter.
We often spend our life seeking validation and affirmation externally, when the reality is, by looking inward, we can access the worth that is inherently within each of us. There’s power in stepping away from the noise—our inner critic, the voices of others, and society’s unrealistic expectations—and offering ourselves moments of quiet presence and awareness. It’s in this space, filled with less doing and more being, that we can find ease, inner wisdom, and comfort. When we trust the goodness, the worth, and the love within, our truth is as sure as our breath.
Breathe
by Becky Hemsley
she sat at the back
and they said she was shy
she led from the front
and they hated her pride
they asked her advice
and then questioned her guidance
they branded her loud
then were shocked by her silence
when she shared no ambition
they said it was sad
so she told them her dreams
and they said she was mad
they told her they’d listen
then covered their ears
and gave her a hug
while they laughed at her fears
and she listened to all of it
thinking she should
be the girl they told her to be
best as she could
but one day she asked
what was best for herself
instead of trying
to please everyone else
so she walked to the forest
and stood with the trees
she heard the wind whisper
and danced with the leaves
she spoke to the willow,
the elm and the pine
and she told them what she’d been told
time after time
she told them she felt
she was never enough
she was either too little
or far, far too much
too loud or too quiet
too fierce or too weak
too wise or too foolish
too bold or too meek
then she found a small clearing
surrounded by firs
and she stopped and she heard
what the trees said to her
and she sat there for hours
not wanting to leave
for the forest said nothing…
it just let her breathe.
If you’re struggling to be kind to yourself and tame your inner critic, we invite you to join us for our upcoming Mindful Self-Compassion Course. Learn strategies to develop a healthier, more compassionate relationship with yourself, your emotions, and those around you. What better way to honor your inner truth than by learning to support yourself in this way? We hope you’ll join us on the journey!
Mindfully yours,
Caitlin, Ashley, Stefanie, Anuka, & Christy
(The Inseus Team)