Honor Your Gift Of Life.
Each day we are provided a new opportunity at life.
Living is a gift. Sometimes we take this for granted until something forces us back into reality. That’s when we start to see life differently. Even then, it takes time to grasp how much of our own life fits into the bigger picture.
Feeling like the outcast
I’ve felt like the “outcast” in many situations in my life. Within my family, I was often told I caused “problems” by going against the grain. Within groups, I’ve been the neutral one, not one to conform to society’s unwritten “rules” for how relationships should look. Feeling like an outcast has genuinely bothered me at times, especially when it’s been read as selfish. Countless times, anything I did came at the expense of my spirit vs. the feelings of others I chose to place above my own. I tend to view life from several angles, always weighing others’ feelings in the decisions I make. For many years, the need to protect others was my first priority.
Here’s the thing, since we’re each gifted with life, making choices that align with ourselves is part of that gift. Our choices won’t always look like someone else’s. Refusing to accept others’ truths as their own leads to misunderstandings far too often. There’s beauty in having the freedom to choose the path that works for you on your journey through life. One, because it’s more fulfilling for you. Two, because it leaves room for others to follow, if they choose to see your life as an inspiration on their own journey. If we’re all moving in the same direction, then how does that benefit us?
The challenge comes when what’s best for us doesn’t align with the people closest to us on our journey. Honoring your gift of life means respecting the path of those around us, while still finding the courage to move in the direction that feels best to us. (See: building blocks of trust). Open communication is a valuable tool here, being upfront and honest about the feelings stirring the winds of change. This requires looking inward, to better understand what we’re feeling. Grasping that personal change is a positive step in a new direction, especially when what we’re seeking to change gives us a better way of feeling within our souls.
Trusting yourself to know what’s best
Only you can answer what’s best for your life. Through prayer, trusting myself, and trusting the process, I’ve knocked down barriers I held onto for years. Through therapy, I’ve identified what areas + patterns in my life are no longer serving my growth. I consistently take inventory of my life to see what areas may need to shift, to better understand my place in the world. (See: grow with mindful practice). The gift that is my life. The gift that is your life. Honor it, feed it, and nurture it regularly.
However you view life, make sure you’re doing all you can to love this life, the one you’re in right now, as the most valuable gift you could ever receive. Challenge yourself to always move in the direction that feels best to you. Trust you have the power to live your best life right now, TODAY.
Are you honoring your gift of life?
| Shameless Voices |
(Photo Credit: Aileen Ly)
