Life Can Take Many Shapes

"A meaningful life can take many shapes. What matters is that we loved well, grew where we were planted, and left something good behind wherever life took us." - Moth Eaten Letters

One day a poster went down my Facebook feed.  I loved what it said and noted an excerpt to ponder in the future. That excerpt is above.  It ties in so well with what I have learned about being true to myself and living a life that gives me joy without apology. But I also loved how in the longer piece it also talked about knowing people who have taken many different paths and that was okay.

For me this is an important addition.  I had to fight so hard when young to be true to who I was deep inside that my struggle became too big of a focus.  I have noticed in the last few years that while I give lip service to the differences of others, when those differences trigger memories of the intolerance I faced as a child and teenager, I struggle with the follow through. My heart wants to accept everyone as they are, but my head is still holding onto a bit of darkness.

"A meaningful life can take many shapes" got me thinking agai. There is no right way. There is no cookie cutter design.  Learning to trust our instincts and follow our heart nudges is important. But if you've been disconnected from your inner voice for a long time, learning to listen will take a lot of practice.  No worries. Once you start to hear you heart speak, there will be no turning back.  It will prove a constant companion.

Next comes learning to exercise a bit of faith.  When it comes to other people in your life, those you love dearly, it can be hard to step back and have faith if they make decisions you struggle with, that they are the right choices for them. Their life will never be a mirror of yours.  Nor will yours be a mirror of theirs. I remember one dear friend who was always trying to help me by offering suggestions, and letting me know what I needed to be doing. It came from the best place - wanting to help me succeed. One day I finally asked, "Do you trust me? Do you trust me enough to let me follow a path that feels right to me, but wrong to you?"  

That changed our relationship forever in the best possible way. I worried about her. She worried about me.  That caused us to offer advice that came from our own experience which we THOUGHT must be right for them too. That day I learned it wasn't.  If someone asks me a question now I try very hard to say these are my thoughts, but remember to put it through your inner filter to see if what I share is right for you. And when someone is brave enough to trust their instincts despite outside pressure, I try to be the voice that encourages them and says, “Well done.”

It is time. I want to continue to release the past, to let go of those harsh childhood and teenage memories. I want place them firmly in the past where they belong, accessing them for the lessons learned only, and keep moving forward.  Is that possible? I hope so.  And if we are connected and you catch me trying to tell you what you should be doing, be sure and push back. I sometimes need the reminder. Always trust your inner voice. Anything you hear from the outside is simply information to consider.