Phoenix Rising

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It has been said that “sometimes you have to die a little on the inside in order to be Reborn, and Rise again as a STRONGER and WISER version of You.”

This current chapter of life –Motherhood, has taken me to the pinnacle of love, and has plunged me to the depths of darkness. The euphoria of creating humans and cherishing them so deeply holds no bounds, yet when a new being so precious enters one’s life, something must be shed to make room.

That something was the old version of myself before becoming a mother of two.
Undefinable strands of selfishness, fear and self-doubt clung tightly to my core.
These traits no longer served my greater good, nor my ability to parent well.  
But I held onto that version of myself,

because it was safe,
because I recognized that ME,
because I knew how to navigate within that way of being ME
because I had ALREADY shed so much

But that old ME was not sustainable and needed pruning.
A divine spark was lit on the inside. Not one that inspired and motivated,
but instead one that burned away the fibers and beliefs that no longer suited me, my family, and my future. Slow and painful was the process as it reached its hottest flame, plummeting me to my bottom, crashing into flaming fragments.

The heat was too much to bear.  
The ocean called me, and so I went.
Alone.

Laying on my back in the wet sand, gasping for air. Clarity washed over me and soothed my charred spirit. The mother ocean spoke to me.

Release what no longer serves you to make room for what is to grow.

Blank eyed and exhausted I let the waves wash me clean and create the space for the next chapter. She whispered to me gently,
​“You will be a better mother by diligently nurturing your heart and spirit.”

You need to be inspired by something outside of being Mom
You needed a mentor, guide or therapist
You need at least one day a week for self-care without kids
You need to share your skills and talents for the greater good
You need a sacred space to create

Like a baby trying to understand her new environs after leaving the womb, I scanned my surroundings as I lay on the sand trying to find my bearings.  Raw, open, different, vulnerable- reborn. Sitting in my beach bungalow I got my writing mojo back and immediately reflected on it in a raw blog post. 

Then I was faced with…
Now what?
If I am not defined as just being Mother, then who shall I be?
Where do I go from here?

Many of you have followed me on this wild life adventure:
from professional volleyball player, and coach,
to adventurer
to risk-taker
to Spanish teacher
to sober woman
to writer
to mentor
to storyteller
to Mother

and so…
from the pruning, I am growing in a new direction that weaves together the best vines of inspiration and truth that sprout from my soul.

This feels like I am welcoming the cleanest, most directed version of the Ann I have known.
And so I confidently move forward, exploring new territories and finding that path that allows me to grow within the best version of ME yet also serves the greatest good. I gather my strengths, skills, experiences and create the space to hear my intuition for the unfolding of the next chapter of Ann who is a
PRESENT, PLAYFUL, and PEACEFUL Mom
and….
*a life coach guiding women on their path to their most authentic selves. Running workshops, one on one sessions, retreats, and adventures in nature to help awaken them to their highest purpose.
*a mental sports practitioner helping teenage girls find their confidence, their voice, and their internal strength to carry them to new heights on and off the volleyball court.
*a mindfulness keynote speaker talking to schools and faculties about how they can become conscious leaders and take radical responsibility for their lives.

This is where I am headed and I invite you to come along for the ride.
So take a stroll through my new and improved website to see what I offer and pass it along to someone who might be in need of my services.
​Also follow me on Facebook at Coach Ann Rivera to get daily inspiration and musings.
Peace in friends,
Ann


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