My first thought upon reading this today was, "Natalie is a Noticer, too."
Window Questions, especially hers, are indicative of curiosity. So, Avery is a Noticer and Natalie is a Wanderer, but really, both are two sides of the same coin.
You can't be either of these if you aren't open to your own inner wisdom, your own compass, your own vision.
Noticing and wandering are about curiosity, about play, about possibility. Both of your daughters seem to reflect these, Rachel! You have raised beautiful, creative humans. What a delight. ❤️
Oh Jeannie😭😭 you are so right. You are so wise!!! You are so generous with your healing perspectives of what it means to be human. I have never thought of Noticer and Wanderer being two sides of the same coin but I’ll never not see it that way again! This is sooo enlightening! I just adore you to pieces! I hope to see you next Wednesday in the treehouse!!!
Happy mom-iversary to you Rachel! In modeling the way you love your beautiful, unique girls so well you have made us all better people! Best of luck to Natalie this weekend!
Happiest of birthdays to your sweet Natalie! What a momentous occasion for her, and surely you also, as her loving mom.
I am very drawn to Natalie's Window Questions, and feel very inspired to help my boys now to keep their sense of awe and wonder about the world. They are 7 and on the edge of 5, and have a beautiful childhood I was never allowed to have, all because of the work I have done to reverse generational trauma. I grew up far too fast, having had 2 neglectful parents, and a mom who struggled with severe mental illness and eventually took her life when I was 22 years old. I have never posted anywhere publicly about this until now, but it feels important. Your share today has really inspired me to do whatever it takes to engage with our boys when they ask the intangible questions. To be present with them, even when I don't have insights or answers. To just see them and experience a moment I have rarely had the occasion to know.
I feel inspired to embrace my inner child and stay fully present in moments that allow me to shut out all the other noise, to-do lists, and stressors on my mind. I think it will be good for me to have that experience, and, more importantly, have it with my incredibly inquisitive and 'in wonderment' boys.
I do wish I could be at our next Treehouse gathering, but I have a commitment. That commitment happens to bring me one step closer to volunteering with our local police department. I completed the Citizen's Police Academy, and am a week away from being a volunteer Citizen on Patrol for our police department. One of your Soul Shift gatherings gave me the final push to have the courage to do this. I feel so blessed to be a part of this community, and am grateful for your gentle and inspiring words.
Thank you for trusting us with a sacred glimpse of your life story, dear Rachel - and how the deficits you experienced growing up have become your greatest strengths as a parent now. To engage with your children in the most curious, connected, invested way is transformative - not just for them but also for you. I am so grateful you recognize this! Also, I want to celebrate the momentous news of your volunteer position! I have happy tears in my eyes knowing my Soul Shift teachings played a small role in this! You are doing vitally important endeavors in this world, Rachel. And today you have inspired me immeasurably!!! I will miss you tomorrow night but I will smile thinking about what you are doing at the same time!
Thank you, Rachel! I truly appreciate you and all you have taught me, and continue to teach me, through your writing. It is so easy to connect with your words, due to how authentic and honest you are. I feel so connected to your stories, and am always grateful to see something new from you. You have played a bigger role than you know in me taking the leap to discover my own passions. I have carried so much fear and shame with me for so many years, and hearing your voice in my head has served as a reminder time and time again that it doesn't matter how I show up, but that I show up, messy hair and all!
Also, I will be able to join tomorrow night after all. God works in mysterious ways sometimes, and I think He is making a way for me to be in community with our Treehouse. I came down with Covid (I'm okay), but it means I need to reschedule my volunteer time so I don't get others sick. Now I will be with you and others tomorrow, and I am truly looking forward to it.
Oh my goodness, I am sorry you have COVID but I am thrilled that our treehouse gathering is happening as you recover! Hopefully our time together will boost your immune system! Thank you for these beautiful words about the impact I have had on your life. I am so grateful and will hold these words close.
I just sent the Zoom link out in a post! Can't wait to be with you tonight!
I always treasure your writing, dear Rachel, and this piece makes me fall in love! I had a bell put on my last bike and it is such a sweet sound! I love what you've written and how lovingly and attentively you share what you learn from your daughters. It is deeply touching. I too discovered poinsetta trees after moving to Mexico, I too had no idea such beauty existed! Natalie: what a beautiful creative undaunted spirit you are, I just know you are and will be a gift to many. Birthday and joyful life blessings!
I could just cry reading this. I actually am crying. I'm sitting in the park in my beautiful little town of Wheaton , Illinois listening to cello and violin music. This self love stuff is hard work, I think it's starting to sink in, but it has beendifficult. I will not lie. I'm sometimes shocked at my inner critic. It has taken a lot to redirect my feelings towards myself . I'm so thankful for you. Rachel, you have no idea or maybe you do ! . I brought my journal with me too, which is a small breakthrough. I was in Florida for a week and I was feeling very out of touch . It feels so good to reconnect.
Happy birthday to Natalie and much success to her on the triathlon !
You always make me feel like I am making a difference, Colleen. Thank you for taking in my words and making them come to life through your loving actions. I am so grateful we can share in the journey to self-love and worthiness together. I know we are both making strides.
Happy Birthday Natalie, wishing you a joyous day. Keep wandering and questioning and know that what your mum has shared today about your 'window questions' and your courage will have touched many people's lives.
As I drove home last night, I was thinking about always taking the same routes home and how much there is to explore in my "own backyard". Your post encourages me to check out new places and new ways to get around! Happy Birthday Natalie....I love the question: Have you ever held a stranger's hand and they instantly felt like family? It gave me chills....we are all connected ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍
Rachel- thank you for sharing these family moments that so many of us experience . Our teens also struggle with the school system and how it continues to force kiddos into boxes. It takes a special educator to discover the passion within a child. We have been blessed to run into one or two in our journey. Thank you for the window questions. We will work hard to remember to think more deeply and remain inquisitive in our world! Thank you!
I was hoping that part of our story would reach another family who shares those same challenges and find solidarity and encouragement in it. My hand in yours, Lori.
This post touched my heart as your writing always does and it started with the title! I loved the passage about “hopping on your proverbial bike and explore a new path”. The image of a bike will be in my emotional toolbox with that beautiful passage. I also loved all the window questions Natalie shares as well. The one question that stuck out to me was about “being lost in a moment that every worry is lifted”. My daughter and I went to Noah Kahan’s concert in San Diego this week. It was 2 hours of having all my worries lifted. My daughter had two of his songs that she connected to especially in her first year of college. I have songs that I connect with since I grew up in New England like Noah. It is amazing to feel connected to his music with a huge crowd experiencing the moment with you! Concert memories especially with my daughter are so precious. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Oh my heart. I LOVE Noah Kahan! My husband and I like to brag and tell people we were at his very first sold out concert in a tiny venue in ATL in 2018! 😂 I get emotional when I go to his concerts now and see thousands of people singing his lyrics. I know how much they have meant to our family during dark times. I love that you and your daughter got to go see him LIVE and share in that experience together. There is nothing like it. When my younger daughter was in a deep state of depression, the song Anyway was my lifeline. I am so grateful we are on the other side now. Music is such therapy. My hand in yours
I love that you and your husband were at his very first concert! My daughter discovered him two years ago and I have been listening to him ever since. His lyrics really do connect with people. My daughter said it was the first time she has gotten so emotional at a concert with tears streaming down her face when he played two of her lifeline songs. I agree that music is such therapy! Thanks for sharing your experience.
I can’t wait to see everyone in the treehouse tomorrow.
Rachel your story of the bicycle bell brought the sounds of my childhood and the feel of the wind on my face back in glorious fashion. Thank you. It also reminded me that when my daughter was little she wanted a bicycle bell too, and my husband carefully took the bell off my very old bike and installed it on hers. Each time I think about it I can hear that sound clearly and I smile. I am so grateful for things that make me smile. Thank you for retrieving one of them from the recesses of my over full memory banks.
Getting my legs in shape for the v climb tomorrow. Happy Tuesday ❤️
Oh my gosh, I love when my writing sparks beautiful memories like the ones you have shared here, my friend. And by sharing them with me, I am smiling too.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow night!!!! Thank you for the gift of your presence & heart.
I hope Natalie had a lovely birthday. My eldest turned 21 this year too, makes me feel way too old!
I often think our children reflect those parts of ourselves that we have kept buried, deliberately or self-consciously. You are definitely both a Noticer and a Wanderer yourself.
I am not sure why but that simple line, made me burst into tears. I don’t think I’ve actually let myself sit with the fact that she is 21… and I helped her get here. Your simple, beautiful acknowledgment was just what I needed. Golden birthday indeed. Tears and gratitude
Hi Rachel,
Happy milestone birthday to Natalie!
My first thought upon reading this today was, "Natalie is a Noticer, too."
Window Questions, especially hers, are indicative of curiosity. So, Avery is a Noticer and Natalie is a Wanderer, but really, both are two sides of the same coin.
You can't be either of these if you aren't open to your own inner wisdom, your own compass, your own vision.
Noticing and wandering are about curiosity, about play, about possibility. Both of your daughters seem to reflect these, Rachel! You have raised beautiful, creative humans. What a delight. ❤️
Oh Jeannie😭😭 you are so right. You are so wise!!! You are so generous with your healing perspectives of what it means to be human. I have never thought of Noticer and Wanderer being two sides of the same coin but I’ll never not see it that way again! This is sooo enlightening! I just adore you to pieces! I hope to see you next Wednesday in the treehouse!!!
I plan to be there, Rachel! Hugs and ❤️
Happy mom-iversary to you Rachel! In modeling the way you love your beautiful, unique girls so well you have made us all better people! Best of luck to Natalie this weekend!
This made me cry happy tears. Thank you for being a part of our story. Your encouragement over the years sure has helped me as a mother.
Happiest of birthdays to your sweet Natalie! What a momentous occasion for her, and surely you also, as her loving mom.
I am very drawn to Natalie's Window Questions, and feel very inspired to help my boys now to keep their sense of awe and wonder about the world. They are 7 and on the edge of 5, and have a beautiful childhood I was never allowed to have, all because of the work I have done to reverse generational trauma. I grew up far too fast, having had 2 neglectful parents, and a mom who struggled with severe mental illness and eventually took her life when I was 22 years old. I have never posted anywhere publicly about this until now, but it feels important. Your share today has really inspired me to do whatever it takes to engage with our boys when they ask the intangible questions. To be present with them, even when I don't have insights or answers. To just see them and experience a moment I have rarely had the occasion to know.
I feel inspired to embrace my inner child and stay fully present in moments that allow me to shut out all the other noise, to-do lists, and stressors on my mind. I think it will be good for me to have that experience, and, more importantly, have it with my incredibly inquisitive and 'in wonderment' boys.
I do wish I could be at our next Treehouse gathering, but I have a commitment. That commitment happens to bring me one step closer to volunteering with our local police department. I completed the Citizen's Police Academy, and am a week away from being a volunteer Citizen on Patrol for our police department. One of your Soul Shift gatherings gave me the final push to have the courage to do this. I feel so blessed to be a part of this community, and am grateful for your gentle and inspiring words.
Thank you for trusting us with a sacred glimpse of your life story, dear Rachel - and how the deficits you experienced growing up have become your greatest strengths as a parent now. To engage with your children in the most curious, connected, invested way is transformative - not just for them but also for you. I am so grateful you recognize this! Also, I want to celebrate the momentous news of your volunteer position! I have happy tears in my eyes knowing my Soul Shift teachings played a small role in this! You are doing vitally important endeavors in this world, Rachel. And today you have inspired me immeasurably!!! I will miss you tomorrow night but I will smile thinking about what you are doing at the same time!
Thank you, Rachel! I truly appreciate you and all you have taught me, and continue to teach me, through your writing. It is so easy to connect with your words, due to how authentic and honest you are. I feel so connected to your stories, and am always grateful to see something new from you. You have played a bigger role than you know in me taking the leap to discover my own passions. I have carried so much fear and shame with me for so many years, and hearing your voice in my head has served as a reminder time and time again that it doesn't matter how I show up, but that I show up, messy hair and all!
Also, I will be able to join tomorrow night after all. God works in mysterious ways sometimes, and I think He is making a way for me to be in community with our Treehouse. I came down with Covid (I'm okay), but it means I need to reschedule my volunteer time so I don't get others sick. Now I will be with you and others tomorrow, and I am truly looking forward to it.
Oh my goodness, I am sorry you have COVID but I am thrilled that our treehouse gathering is happening as you recover! Hopefully our time together will boost your immune system! Thank you for these beautiful words about the impact I have had on your life. I am so grateful and will hold these words close.
I just sent the Zoom link out in a post! Can't wait to be with you tonight!
I always treasure your writing, dear Rachel, and this piece makes me fall in love! I had a bell put on my last bike and it is such a sweet sound! I love what you've written and how lovingly and attentively you share what you learn from your daughters. It is deeply touching. I too discovered poinsetta trees after moving to Mexico, I too had no idea such beauty existed! Natalie: what a beautiful creative undaunted spirit you are, I just know you are and will be a gift to many. Birthday and joyful life blessings!
Ellen, I cherish your thoughtful, loving comments so much. I feel like we are kindred souls, and that brings me so much comfort.
Yes I feel that too
I could just cry reading this. I actually am crying. I'm sitting in the park in my beautiful little town of Wheaton , Illinois listening to cello and violin music. This self love stuff is hard work, I think it's starting to sink in, but it has beendifficult. I will not lie. I'm sometimes shocked at my inner critic. It has taken a lot to redirect my feelings towards myself . I'm so thankful for you. Rachel, you have no idea or maybe you do ! . I brought my journal with me too, which is a small breakthrough. I was in Florida for a week and I was feeling very out of touch . It feels so good to reconnect.
Happy birthday to Natalie and much success to her on the triathlon !
You always make me feel like I am making a difference, Colleen. Thank you for taking in my words and making them come to life through your loving actions. I am so grateful we can share in the journey to self-love and worthiness together. I know we are both making strides.
Happy Birthday Natalie, wishing you a joyous day. Keep wandering and questioning and know that what your mum has shared today about your 'window questions' and your courage will have touched many people's lives.
This is so lovely. I will pass this along to her, dear Hannah.
As I drove home last night, I was thinking about always taking the same routes home and how much there is to explore in my "own backyard". Your post encourages me to check out new places and new ways to get around! Happy Birthday Natalie....I love the question: Have you ever held a stranger's hand and they instantly felt like family? It gave me chills....we are all connected ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍
I love this Melissa. Yes, our own backyard has so many things to discover. I love that you articulated this important thought!!!
Happy Birthday Natalie!
Rachel- thank you for sharing these family moments that so many of us experience . Our teens also struggle with the school system and how it continues to force kiddos into boxes. It takes a special educator to discover the passion within a child. We have been blessed to run into one or two in our journey. Thank you for the window questions. We will work hard to remember to think more deeply and remain inquisitive in our world! Thank you!
I was hoping that part of our story would reach another family who shares those same challenges and find solidarity and encouragement in it. My hand in yours, Lori.
Happiest of birthdays to your daughter, Natalie!
This post touched my heart as your writing always does and it started with the title! I loved the passage about “hopping on your proverbial bike and explore a new path”. The image of a bike will be in my emotional toolbox with that beautiful passage. I also loved all the window questions Natalie shares as well. The one question that stuck out to me was about “being lost in a moment that every worry is lifted”. My daughter and I went to Noah Kahan’s concert in San Diego this week. It was 2 hours of having all my worries lifted. My daughter had two of his songs that she connected to especially in her first year of college. I have songs that I connect with since I grew up in New England like Noah. It is amazing to feel connected to his music with a huge crowd experiencing the moment with you! Concert memories especially with my daughter are so precious. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Oh my heart. I LOVE Noah Kahan! My husband and I like to brag and tell people we were at his very first sold out concert in a tiny venue in ATL in 2018! 😂 I get emotional when I go to his concerts now and see thousands of people singing his lyrics. I know how much they have meant to our family during dark times. I love that you and your daughter got to go see him LIVE and share in that experience together. There is nothing like it. When my younger daughter was in a deep state of depression, the song Anyway was my lifeline. I am so grateful we are on the other side now. Music is such therapy. My hand in yours
RMS
I love that you and your husband were at his very first concert! My daughter discovered him two years ago and I have been listening to him ever since. His lyrics really do connect with people. My daughter said it was the first time she has gotten so emotional at a concert with tears streaming down her face when he played two of her lifeline songs. I agree that music is such therapy! Thanks for sharing your experience.
I can’t wait to see everyone in the treehouse tomorrow.
Rachel your story of the bicycle bell brought the sounds of my childhood and the feel of the wind on my face back in glorious fashion. Thank you. It also reminded me that when my daughter was little she wanted a bicycle bell too, and my husband carefully took the bell off my very old bike and installed it on hers. Each time I think about it I can hear that sound clearly and I smile. I am so grateful for things that make me smile. Thank you for retrieving one of them from the recesses of my over full memory banks.
Getting my legs in shape for the v climb tomorrow. Happy Tuesday ❤️
Oh my gosh, I love when my writing sparks beautiful memories like the ones you have shared here, my friend. And by sharing them with me, I am smiling too.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow night!!!! Thank you for the gift of your presence & heart.
I hope Natalie had a lovely birthday. My eldest turned 21 this year too, makes me feel way too old!
I often think our children reflect those parts of ourselves that we have kept buried, deliberately or self-consciously. You are definitely both a Noticer and a Wanderer yourself.
"I often think our children reflect those parts of ourselves that we have kept buried, deliberately or self-consciously."
Oooohhh... I think you are on to something there!!! Thank you for sharing this thought! I will be thinking about this all day.
Beautiful!
Happy Birthday to beautiful Natalie!! Thank you for your window questions, very encouraging!
Thank you, Judy!
Happy birthday to Natalie!
What a lovely bell!
❤️❤️❤️
Happy Birthday, Natalie! I'm so inspired by her "window questions." And I love your Banjo Bell. XO
Love you, friend.
This is so beautiful. 💜
Happy golden birthday, Natalie! 🎉
I am not sure why but that simple line, made me burst into tears. I don’t think I’ve actually let myself sit with the fact that she is 21… and I helped her get here. Your simple, beautiful acknowledgment was just what I needed. Golden birthday indeed. Tears and gratitude