My daughter happens to be the toughest challenge I have ever faced. Each and every day, I am finding I need to learn new ways of communicating and new ways of parenting without enabling. It's an incredibly fine line to walk, and frankly, it is mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting for me. I would love not having to deal with this every day.

During the toughest struggles with her, I am finding that I really have to take a break and really THINK about gratitude, and the positives in my life. This practice takes me out of the angst of the moment and into a real sense of peace. It is always possible to find ONE thing to be grateful for in each moment. The discipline is taking the moment to find that little bit of gratitude.

This week, my internal struggle has been, do I let her stay, or do I make her go find her own way. I am still in that struggle. As a mom, I want her to be safe. As a person, I want her gone, out of my space so that I can finally breathe on my own again.

And when I finally took the time to be grateful for the positives in my life, my guides reminded me that she is the greatest communication teacher I could ever have.

'Really?! WHY?!"

"Because she is forcing you to re evaluate how you communicate moment to moment. You have a tendency to use a 'one method fits all' style of communication with friends and loved ones. That is not always effective since communication is about more than one person."

AH............

And when will this phase of the learning STOP!?

"When you no longer want it to stop. When you can find the fun in determining what is the best style of communication for the moment and then go with it. And when you learn to compassionately tell your loved ones what YOU want and need from them, instead of fighting about what they need from you. You have been so focused on what you can't do, that you are missing what you can do. And sometimes... the best communication is silence, or a hug."

AH.......

I don't know what the next weeks will bring as I travel on this journey. I will say that this process is certainly not dull.

Today, I am grateful to have found some peace this week! And for the ability to hear the guidance from my guides, who always give me a different perspective about my life and lessons.