Dear One,
Yes, YOU. You know who you are. You have been wrestling with conflicting thoughts, and I want you to know, I have been where you are. It is a terrible place to be, this in-between place of where you used to be, and where you want to be, that is somehow so far from where you thought you would be.
Should you stay this course, or should you head in another direction? Should you just accept this fate you seem to have grown accustomed to, or should you question everything?
Let me ask you this. Is your soul being fed, or is it always looking for something more? Do you feel more alive each morning when you wake up, or do you feel somehow less? When you breathe, does air fill your lungs with satisfying breath, or are you panting the quick, shallow breaths of anxiety?
When nights seem endless because sleep won't come; when days are dark with troubled thoughts; when the heaviness inside fills you with dread, you can be sure that it is time for change. Your body senses when your spirit is shriveling, and alerts you it is time to get back to who you really are; to be true to yourself.
Have you forgotten how big your dreams are? Have you forgotten that little girl inside you who lives her life so big there's no time for a day that isn't full of spontaneous joy, laughter and sparkles?
Your heart and spirit already know what your mind is slower to accept. You will have brief moments of self-doubt and second-guessing. You might think you cannot do the very thing you must. But you would be wrong.
When you wonder whether you are enough; know this: you are so much more than just enough. You are strong. Full of faith. Beautiful. Full of hope. Smart. Full of love. Compassionate. Full of life. Amazing. You are brave.
Do not lose sight of the vision you have for your life. Return to the path you were traveling; your path. Not everyone will understand and appreciate your journey, but those who love you will understand and appreciate your need to take care of yourself.
Don't settle, dear one. Don't you dare settle. You are meant to live your life with fierce love and joy, never lose sight of your purpose. Follow your heart; it will take you where you need to be.
You've got this.
Love,
Me
Oh, wow. I can think of numerous women who need or have needed a letter like this. Beautifully said, my friend. Life is much too short for settling.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Deb. I wish someone had said these words to me 30 years ago...
DeleteThank you for this. It was just what I needed right now, at this moment tonight. I suspect many will feel the same.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for all of your support. I am so grateful when I make connections with my writing.
DeleteOh, Shellie, it's good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteThese are the words I wish someone had said to me years ago--but I'm so grateful I finally heard my own voice (and similar words) and made the hard choices. How different my life became when I walked away from everything I thought I was supposed to be doing, and reached out for something else. I didn't leave someone in order to find someone else, I left because being alone was far better than being in the situation I was in. It just happened that someone else came along when I was whole again.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you and I have walked the same journey, each of us in our own way. It wasn't easy, but I'm grateful for the results. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteThis is absolutely wonderful, Denise. Thank you. Just what I needed right now (not relationship but work related for me right now but I never really knew that life was meant to be lived 'with fierce love and joy.'
ReplyDeleteValerie, thank you so much. I am glad to know the message is not limited to one circumstance.
DeleteThis is the letter I wish I could have written to myself, thank you
ReplyDeleteAs long as you are following your heart now, and it seems you are, you are in a good place.
Delete❤️❤️❤️Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, true words that come from a heart who understands and who wants better things for others. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. You are so encouraging.
Delete