Returning to Self Through Care and Community

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In our Women's Empowerment Circle this week, we explored a tender and deeply human topic: Where do we go when things don’t go as planned?

When stress hits—especially if we’re not resourced or haven’t tended to our own self-care—it’s easy to slip into old patterns. Maybe we shut down, lash out, numb, or simply go through the motions. These responses are not failures rather they point to being depleted. They are signs that we are in need of support. They are invitations to return to ourselves.

That’s why spaces like this circle matter. By simply showing up, week after week, we create a rhythm of checking in, of being supported, of remembering ourselves. As one participant beautifully shared:

“I’m learning through this process. It’s so great that the group is here because it gently forces me to check in with myself. I feel seen, and I don’t have to explain who I am or what I’m going through.”

This is the medicine of coming together in community. There is permission to be exactly who you are—no fixing, judging or explanation needed.

We also touched on how expectations can often lead to deep disappointment. Perhaps you’ve experienced this: a dream you held for your Rare child begins to dissolve. Maybe they can’t crawl, or walk, or stand on stage in the school play like other kids. Your hopes crash into reality, and it hurts. It’s devastating.

In moments like these, rather than turning away from the pain, you’re invited to gently feel it. Breathe. Make space for what’s here—grief, sadness, frustration, love. It’s all welcome. There is a sanctuary in your own heart that can hold it all.

This is where self-care becomes essential.

Sometimes self-care looks like a nap on your patio. Or a nourishing green smoothie. A good book. A walk under the trees. A conversation with a friend who sees your soul. These simple acts are powerful—they refill your inner cup and bring you back to your natural state of balance and presence.

When you're well cared for, you may notice the sting of disappointment softens. You begin to feel more resilient. More capable of facing the beauty and difficulty of life without shutting down. Gratitude may even emerge—not in a forced way, but as a quiet knowing that even the hard moments carry wisdom.

You might remember how many sweet, joyful, ordinary moments you’ve shared with your Rare child. Moments when the light hit just right, or when laughter filled the room. When those moments arise—memorize them. Let them soak into your cells. They are deposits in your self-care account.

And the more you deposit, the less power your inner critic holds. You start to see that self-care is not selfish—it is self-love. It is survival. It is how you ground into your own life with grace.

Practice self-love every single day. You deserve that. And we look forward to welcoming you—just as you are—into the sacred space of our Women's Empowerment Circle.

Coming Up Next Week: The Places We Go When It’s Beyond Us

In the midst of a life filled with untold medical challenges as you care for your Rare child, it is helpful to access awe and wonder. In our group today, we will explore how to stay connected to the wonders around us, the sunset, a flower in bloom, a beautiful salad. When you pause and slow down enough to observe the beauty around you, you actually give space for the beauty to shine. Awe and wonder are essential experiences for human beings to feel fulfilled and alive. Join us for a rich and inspiring dialogue about wonder and awe. And, “awe-inducing events may be one of the fastest and most powerful methods of personal change and growth.” 

Please Join Us for the Women's Empowerment Circle every Tuesday at 10am PST

You may not realize how much you need the Raregivers community until you find it.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782918881