Birthday reflection
I have taken another trip around the sun, and it’s been a beautiful and crazy ride full of many turns and bumpy roads. There have been moments where I felt like I was on a long country road where everything looked the same, day after day, moving forward but finding it difficult to see progress. There have been moments where I felt alone, driving down what might as well have been a dark and scary backroad, lost, worried, no clear path in sight. There have also been moments where I felt like I was driving along the gorgeous California coast while the sun was setting, witnessing and experiencing breathtaking, beautiful moments worth celebrating and feeling every bit of. My year has been filled with all of these moments, each one important and each one teaching me along the way. This reminds me of the peace and balance that I am striving for in my life, throughout all of these moments.
A few lessons that have felt important to me this last year:
So much of what happens in life is out of our control. Learning to recognize when something is out of our control and surrendering to this brings peace. Letting go of attachment to certain plans and outcomes is healing.
The people in your life that truly love you will accept and honor all of you, even the things they may not agree with you on.
Figure out what is really important to you, what values are at top of your list. Then practice them and be true to yourself.
Pain is all consuming but also temporary.
People can only meet you as deeply as they’ve met themselves.
You don’t have to agree with someone on everything, to love, support and respect them. In fact if you’re willing to listen to someone else’s opinion or experience, you may learn something and even grow your own perspective.
Challenge the norm. Fit out. Be your own advocate. Speak your truth and have the courage to pursue what feels right.
Be a good listener. Stop thinking about what you might say next and just listen with your ears, eyes and heart.
Nurture the relationships in your life that build you up, light you up, and make you better.
Self care is not selfish. Love yourself enough to take care of and heal your body.
