Be enough

"We are born with only one born with one obligation - to be who we are.  Yet how much of our time is spent comparing ourselves to others, dead and alive?  This is encouraged as necessary in the pursuit of excellence.  Yet a flower in its excellence does not yearn to be a fish and a fish, in its unmanaged elegance does not long to be a tiger.  But we humans find ourselves always falling into the dream of another life.  Or we secreetly aspire to the fortune or fame of people we don't really know.  When feeling badly about ourselves, we often try on other skins rather than understand and care for our own."  - Mark Nepo

I've thought a lot about this and this year, I am focused on caring for myself and making myself a better person.  Sometimes it's embarassing to put it on paper but I think writing it down often makes it clearer for me and reminds me to own it.  I want to be a calmer, more patient mother, a more supportive wife, a thoughtful friend.  Instead of wishing I had more (time, money, vacations, spa days, organic foods, material things) fill in the blank, I am making 2013 the year I am focused on what I have and being grateful for all those things.  We all have so much yet in the day to day, as I've discussed so many time, we take those things for granted because life gets in the way.  Back in November, I talked all about our Gratitude Journal, which we are now doing all year long because there is so much wonder in our current lives, why aren't those things celebrated all year long?  It's a process but I think it's important to give ourselves credit and realize that we are enough and we must accept that we need to "be enough" to truly be happy in our lives.  When we are always wishing that we had more, were like someone else and were in a different place, we simply are missing out on what we have....and delaying our journey on getting exactly to where we want to be

So, this year, I'm going to be more confident and worry less about what other people think about the choice I make for my family and myself.  I want to focus on really changing some of the qualities that I don't love about myself (instead of wishing I was more like someone else) and hope to make some positive changes that will ultimately lead me on my journey to the life I want.  I am doing this for myself, which I think is an important distinction.  As people, we often change for others and I think that can lead to failure.  This time the changes I aspire to are for myself and with the hope, it will only make me a better person...and happier people around me. 

I would love to hear thoughts on this?  Are you in a happy space?  Are there things in 2013 that you are doing to help you reach your dreams?  Where do you start?

Comments

  1. I think what you said about changing for yourself is the key. If you are trying to please someone else, inevitably you won't be happy, but if it is for you, it will be something that helps you in the end. I totally get the wanting of other things. It seems like it is always the case in our society, no matter what level we are at, to be looking to the next, better, thing. Unfortunately, I think sometimes we end up with "the grass is greener" mentality, and once we get to the space where we thought we would be the happiest, we are looking down the road again to something else!

    I hope that you are able to find the peace that you are seeking! It is hard with all of the crap that is going on in the world to be able to sit back and just live sometimes. And I would hate to look back at my life and realize that I wasn't enjoying what I had every day in front of me.

    I also have a gratitude journal that I write in frequently. I find that I list the small things, and looking back at my list, I often write the same things down over and over again. Maybe I should be concentrating on those little blessings :-) Great post!

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    1. I agree that looking back on the list is very helpful. It reminds us of the little things! I want to get a new gratitude journal for 2013!

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  2. Amen! I'm with you on this!
    I've been keeping a thankful journal too and it's been fun to get my kids to list things along with me.

    This year i'm focusing on allowing God to grow and change me. I've been so frustrated with myself in the areas of being patient with my kids and being content where I am. I'm learning that I can't change on my own with my own strenght. I need the Lord to be my focus and allow Him to create in me new habits, ways of thinking and patients.

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    1. I think we all feel like this from time to time - and putting it out there, makes us accountable. It's a start!

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  3. Seems like we were having the same thoughts, my friend. I was just listening to this yesterday, very inspiring. http://www.ted.com/talks/thandie_newton_embracing_otherness_embracing_myself.html

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  4. Great post! I love that quote. It's so very true. Sometimes it's really hard not to compare yourself to others, and I've been working on that a lot. I think as a woman, it's even harder!

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    1. I agree Tammy! It's hard not to compare - but the online community helps, just knowing we aren't alone! Girl power ;)

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  5. You have touched on all the good points. So true is right. I compare myself to others all the time which is so uncool & makes me feel inferior most of the time. Thanks for sharing & have a great weekend. I'm your latest follower. Hope you'll stop by & do the same. Nice to meet you.

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