Growing up in traditionalism as I did, I found my freedom and voice later in life. I discovered that I could be so much more than a wife or mother.
I could be anything I wanted to be.
An old refrain certainly, but it’s old because it’s TRUE. Don’t do it someday, DO IT TODAY!
I began my adult life standing in the secondhand light of a man. (Traditional, remember?) Years later, I figured out that I couldn’t change, fix, repair or control another human being, as hard as I might try. I learned that the only person I could fix or change was me! And I am grateful every day for that lesson.
I learned that I must never feel responsible or guilty over another human being’s actions. I am not responsible. I can feel sadness, when someone I love is stuck in self-generated depression and defeat. I will be there for them if they reach out for help but I am not responsible for their behavior. Another lesson hard-earned.
In the first forty years of my life I loved everyone else and forgot all about me. I had been taught that loving and caring for oneself was ‘selfish’. Then a light shone out of a personal tragedy and it taught me the lesson of self-love.
Learning to love yourself is the greatest lesson of all.
I couldn’t truly love anyone else if I didn’t take the time to love and care for myself. How simple it sounds and how difficult it is to accomplish. Embracing that truth gave me my life back.
Education and knowledge is power: I am powerful and lead my life how I choose, answering only to myself. And with that accountability I have become a better, gentler person.
Without judgment (or hardly any, as I am human after all), I smile when I observe another human being’s foolishness for there go I. I keep my mouth shut when I observe someone learning their lessons. If asked I try not to tell the person what they should do, and how they should do it. Rather, I share my experiences and how I resolved (or didn’t) a particular challenge.
Finally, the Universe is only waiting for you to ask for something. My Universe is waiting to deliver to me whatever I desire and am ready to receive. Nothing is withheld; I have only to ask with a true heart. Whether it is wisdom, gratitude, love, health, friends, money or success, it’s mine for the asking.
The Universe delivered my heart’s desire and continues to do so every day and I am filled with gratitude.
Excellent. Pragmatic and straight talking. Thanks.