Shine The Light
As we go through life, we have an abundance of labels placed on us and we play many roles. We are daughters, sisters, friends, mothers, neighbors, wives and ex-wives. The labels that are put on us vary from one extreme to another but cover things like, female, middle child, divorced, single, pretty, fat, sensitive, bitchy, unemployed and so many others. But none of these things actually say who we are. The roles are what we do and the labels are the opinions of other people. When someone asks us, “Who are you?”, we struggle with the answer. We don’t know who we are. A frequent response may be, “I’m fifty something and I have no idea who I am.” Sound familiar?
You’re Not Alone
Through the course of our lives we have managed to be there for everyone. We’ve done the cooking, cleaning, shopping and scheduling. We’ve loved, supported, nurtured and consoled all the people in our life. For years, we have put everyone first without being asked to, we just do it. But because we are so busy taking care of everybody else’s needs, we fail to address our own. No wonder we end up lost in a world that we created ourselves. Of course we reach a point where we feel alone, empty and unfulfilled. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Take The Time
The answer is easy; the process is not. You need to figure out who that girl is inside of you. Seems like an odd thing to say but that is exactly what needs to happen. The last client I said that to stared at me and said, “I don’t know how to do that. I don’t even know who I am.” My suggestion to her was to do it the same way she would if she were getting to know a friend. Spend time with her. Find out what she likes and dislikes. Discover what makes her smile and laugh. Walk the beach with her or venture into the woods. What catches her attention? What melts her heart and what makes her feel like a kid again? What’s her favorite movie, song, ice-cream. Spend as much time with her as you can and you will discover what’s in her heart.
You Are The Gift
I can remember hearing about people who would go “find themselves” in a cabin in the woods or at a personal growth retreat. I didn’t have the time or money to go figure out what was wrong. I discovered who I am between the bus stop and the bedtime stories. I made sure I was present in my life and every moment I got to be with me, I took it. I walked the beach, listened to music, and read motivational books. I played with my children and watched the sunrises every morning that I could. I laid in bed at night and wrote about my day, my dreams and my goals. I learned about me and paid no mind to what others thought about me. It’s time for you to unwrap the gift that you are and discover what is inside.
