How to make healthy compromises without diverting from your commitment to your dreams? 

My husband and I are considering educational options for our son for next year. Since there are no great schools in our town, one option is homeschooling. 

During our night talk in the warmth of our living room, my husband shared his homeschooling experience with his mother. This was when he got the best education, felt most accomplished, and enjoyed his studies. I immediately felt attacked; since my husband is currently the provider for our family, if we chose this path, it would be me who homeschooled our son. 

My son and I have a very special bond. Being his mother is what brings me the most joy in my life. To compensate for his lack of academic engagement, I’ve been teaching him every day when he gets back from school, and I genuinely love this time with him.

But I have big plans for this year: establishing my astrology school, finishing my book, and signing a publication contract. I will also teach more at Debra’s growing school and continue my role as the certification coordinator of Debra’s flagship session, 4E. If I homeschool my son, I will have to put some of these plans aside.

I started this year with Gabby Bernstein’s Manifestation Challenge, which I highly recommend. I have defined the desires I want to manifest, removed the obstacles and the doubts, let go of my attachment to the outcome, and connected with my magnetism, faith, and power (and I am only halfway through it). 

The homeschooling option tested my commitment to my ambitions. Giving my son the best education is my number one priority. But if I put my aspirations aside now and devote the prime years of my career to my son’s education, I will not be happy. I will likely develop resentment towards him for taking my dreams away. Maybe I will homeschool him as an excuse for not going after my dreams. 

Furthermore, leaving my dreams behind or putting them on hold would show my son that it’s okay not to pursue our dreams, and I do not want to teach him that. I do not want him to compromise himself this way. 

A part of me wishes I was less ambitious and was content and happy staying home and homeschooling my son, but I have to recognize and accept that I am built differently. 

This conversation perfectly manifests the Cancer Full Moon with the Sun in Capricorn. It presents the dialog between our needs to nourish and care for our loved ones (Cancer) and our desire to fulfill ourselves in our careers (Capricorn). 

So many of us dedicate some years of our lives to caring for others, whether children, parents, spouses, or other family members. Being in service to others is one of the greatest joys we can experience in this lifetime. But it must come out of joy and complete willingness without feeling compromised. 

When I stayed home with my son for the first three and a half years of his life, there was nothing else I wanted to do. It was not a compromise but a fulfillment of my desire. Before he was born, I prayed every day that my husband and I would find the means to allow me to stay with our son instead of going back to work. 

Compromise is a part of life, but sometimes we compromise when we do not necessarily have to or choose the wrong compromise to take on ourselves. My son may not get the best education, or we may have to pay more than we would have wanted. I can live with these compromises, knowing I will be a happy, fulfilled, empowered mother. I will follow my dreams, cherish every moment with my son, and share my happiness and success with him. 

The homeschooling test has taught me that I am committed to my success as much as I am committed to being the best mother to my son. These commitments will shape my life and take me where I want to be. 

This week, ask yourself what you are committed to and how you are showing up with your commitments. How do you show the world that you are committed? What compromises do you need to make on your path toward fulfillment? Your commitments set the direction of your life. What you are committed to is where you will experience fulfillment and success. 

I’d love to hear about your commitments, challenges, dilemmas, and conflicts regarding commitment. An astrology reading and a 4E session can help you define and follow through on your commitments this year. 

I want to end with a prayer for the people of Los Angeles. May you be safe, protected, and well. May you recover from your losses and find strength and solace in your community.  

With love,

Yael