When the going gets rough, taking care of oneself can easily fall by the wayside, but it is exactly then that I feel it’s needed the most. Allowing myself to listen to my needs and giving myself that which I need is an ongoing process, but also one that’s incredibly rewarding. Mother Mary’s energies of acceptance, nurturing and softness play a key role for me in this process.  I’ve included at the end an incredibly simple breathing practice Mother Mary has taught me that is designed to open up the space for gently and compassionately taking care of oneself. See how you like it :-)