This morning, I heard something that made me reflect. Isn't it interesting how we all have different perceptions of what we experience in life? How I could be looking at the exact same thing as the person standing next to me, but seeing something entirely different; or how I could be going through the same situation as someone else, but experiencing something very different, even though it's the same series of events? This has always fascinated me, and I've spent a great many years studying this; I've experienced it myself, sometimes at the cost of great lessons that shaped me into who I've become. As a young adult, I was more of the type to stay in the background, or to the side, and let others shine. I never felt like I was worthy of being heard, or that I had anything of value to share. After years of internal struggles, reinforced by the life I had created for myself, my self-esteem hit an all time low. I literally felt like everyone else was better than me, and by everyone, I mean everyone. I was good at hiding it too. Hiding is pretty easy to do when you have a professional career, and ''things'' to hide behind. It wasn't hard to do at all. I was functioning normally, tending to my responsibilities, behaving like a happy contended adult, but I was miserable and dying inside. I couldn't relate to anyone. I felt different. I had a full time professional career, appeared successful with two kids, a house and a car to maintain.
Heck, as if that wasn't enough, I even had a man to maintain for quite a few of those years! Haha …but I couldn't identify, or relate to anyone who I wanted to associate with, or who I had the good fortune of being surrounded with. It seemed like everyone I knew had something I didn't have. I couldn't see what it was. I was at a loss. They HAD it, but what was it? They were genuine. What was I missing? It's when I got really stuck, when it seemed like I couldn't go any lower, or things couldn't get any worse, that I had to take the bull by the horn, and started on my personal growth & development, and healing journey. This was many years ago. It's been a real joyride. I don't think they have roller coasters like this at Universal Studio, but it was so worth the price of admission. I invested huge amounts of time and money in myself, from consulting with various professionals to education, and using different modalities in order to heal this mind, body, and soul. I got everything back in return, and then some. If I could ask anyone only one life transforming question, it would be this one: "What is your personal growth & development plan?" Personal growth is a lifelong process that should be intentionally started as early as possible. Since we're limitless, we can never outgrow our potential, and it just keeps getting better, and better, and better… year, after year, after year. This has been my experience, and the most valuable advice I could give anyone.
Fast forward to this morning: As I heard a young lady say that she would like to settle down, but how it's really hard to do because EVERYONE in their mid-twenties like to party and go clubbing all the time, I just wanted to shout to her: "WE RELATE AND IDENTIFY WITH WHO WE ARE!" - In order for her to see people in her age group who have settled down, and have started building a good life for themselves, she first has to grow to a level of maturity where she can relate and identify with more mature young adults. I've personally experienced this awakening, so I know. When I started "growing up", both at a personal and a professional level, on both occasions I was amazed to realize that there is a whole different world out there that I had no idea existed. I just had to awaken to it. I all of a sudden felt like I belonged, and could relate and identify with others I wanted to associate with. The more I grew, the more my circle of friends and working associates grew and changed, and so it's been going on ever since. I am always looking for people who know more than I do, and from whom I can learn. That's a far cry from the younger version of me standing in the corner, waiting for someone to come forward. Isn't life exciting? Full of surprises, and everyone has a chance at it if they are just willing to do the work. You can look outward all you want to see the world you envision, but you must look inward to discover the way to get there, otherwise, it may just remain wishful thinking. I'm so grateful for my teachers and coaches that have assisted me in discovering the new "moi". They really got me unstuck, living the life I used to dream of, and kept me on my way to even bigger and greater things.
So, whom do you identify with? Who do you attract? Do you wish you could be someone else, or are you satisfied with who you are? Are you ready to leap forward into a brighter future, or are you content with the way things are? All interesting questions, aren't they? Questions that contain drastic information to what your next step should be. I'm sure glad I did find the answers to these questions. I found them within. It all starts with awareness, and from there, you can start building and moving towards the life you call a dream…for now!
Until next time, LOVE YOURSELF!
DL
