I’ve known for a while, but this week, my knowing erupted anew. It said, “Make the change! Put self-love at the heart of everything you do. Be who you are.”

This blog has been stalled and stale because I was trying to be who I was in the past and who (and how) I thought I was supposed to be now. I thought I’d learned the value of being myself years ago, but I seem to have forgotten what I learned, and new layers and opportunities continue to present themselves. Here’s what I know today:

Swan Mothers is not an autism blog, even though autism rocked my world and launched me into the most amazing journey of my life.

Swan Mothers is not a parenting blog, though parenting my three children (autistic and otherwise unique and wonderful) has been the most rewarding, challenging, and transformative aspect of that journey.

Swan Mothers is, first and foremost, a blog about the transformative aspect of the parenting journey, and of life. It is about being my Truest, Brightest Self and sharing what I’ve learned with you. It is a space to consider where I’ve been and where I’m going, but most of all, to shine who I Am.

Enter Felix Felicis

Felix Felicis by 1995levente via DeviantArt

As I pondered the question of what to do with this awareness, a scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince popped into my head. In it, Harry takes a sip of Felix Felicis, also known as liquid luck, to help him accomplish a task in which he’d made no progress after months of trying. After drinking a few drops, he immediately knows what to do. His eyes light up and he says, “I have a really good feeling about this,” as he dashes off following inspiration, rather his carefully-laid plan.

This scene exemplifies Inspired Action. I have felt the frustration of doing, for the sake of doing. I have experienced little success in achieving my goals when taking action because it was the next logical step, or because an expert suggested it.

Henceforth, I shall act (and write) from with the spirit of Felix Felicis, wallowing in the sensation of infinite opportunity. I shall allow for periods of dormancy, stillness, and growth. And, when I am inspired to act, I shall follow Knowing and Inspiration, ready to be lucky in my endeavors.