In last week’s blog, I wrote about a poem called Awakening by Virginia Marie Swift a few years ago. It’s all about self-responsibility and self-empowerment.
Like last week, throughout this blog, I quote part of the poem and then reflect on my own life. I reference myself as in the process of learning because that’s the truth. As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be committed to learning and becoming the best possible version of myself. It is a lifelong journey and we get it wrong A LOT of the time. And that is TOTALLY OK. We are 100% human.
“You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who you are and what you are…and that’s OK”
I am learning to set boundaries and tell the TRUTH. To say NO when I mean it.
“You stop complaining and blaming people for things they did to you (or didn’t do for you) and you learn the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.”
I am learning that circumstances are always neutral (e.g., other people, what they do or say). I did not need to change the circumstance in order to change my thoughts or feelings about it.
“You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.”
I’m learning that everything in my life right now is here because I said YES to it. It could be something internal or external. At any time, I can change any of it. How powerful is that.
“You learn that you don’t know everything; it’s not your job to save the world and that you can’t teach a pig to sing.”
I’m learning that I have a lot to learn and I don’t ever want that to change. As long as we’re alive, we have the capacity to create new neural pathways. Awakening is a lifelong journey. I’m also learning that I’m going to get it wrong A LOT of the time. And that is OK.
“Then you learn about love.”
I’m learning how to give it and also accept it unconditionally.
“You learn that alone does not mean lonely.”
I am learning self-compassion in tender moments.
“You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen, is different than working toward making it happen.”
I am learning the difference between passive action and massive action and the value of never quitting.
“You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it….”
I’m learning to allow fear as part of the 50%/50% of life. Feeling a feeling will not kill you. It feels unpleasant but the more we do it, the better we get at it. We need to feel our feelings. And if we can allow fear, imagine how much bigger your life will get.
“You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people.”
I’m learning about post-traumatic growth as a possible response after change and adversity.
It is such a privilege to believe in my clients, to help them look inward to find ways to build self-awareness, self-connection, self-acceptance, self-love, self-reliance, self-approval, self-honour, self-trust, compassion, and gratitude, and to witness their transformation. This is where you find peace, purpose, possibility and passion in your life. INSIDE your mind, regardless of your circumstance.