PEBBLE
Margaret, maybe the you you are is better than the one you’re trying to become?
-Bill, shared by Margaret in Williamsburg, VA (whose friend said this to her 25 years ago and to this day still finds this comment helpful when she occasionally doubts her enoughness and her fabulousness)
BOULDER
I’m laughing because I know the secret of life. And the secret of life is that I have validated my existence. I know that I am worth more than my house, my bank account, or any physical thing.
-Carlos Santana, shared by Brooklyn in Madison, WI
PONDER
So how are you doing these days? And more relevant to this week’s theme….how is your YOUness? How are you feeling about yourself and your life and the things you’ve accomplished and the things you dream about?
We’ve been understandably hunkered down in survival mode the last few months and years, and it seems like much of our focus has been on all the big stuff going on out there in the world. As we shift our mindset to spend more time and energy on reviving and thriving, I’ve found myself turning inward more….taking a deeper assessment of how I’m doing and where I’m heading.
It turns out I’m more depleted than I realized, and also a bit bewildered about how to make sense of where I’m at and where I want to go from here. In this confusing swirl of thoughts and feels, I’m now realizing I kinda lost my sense of self. A few recent conversations with close friends helped me remember that deeper than the exhaustion and grief that have built up over the last two years are the many skills and qualities that have helped me define my me-ness for the 50+ years I’ve been on the planet.
I still have quite a bit of recovering to do, and I also still have quite a bit of growing I want to do, too. Both of those will be a little bit easier to accomplish if I’m able to recognize and celebrate my me-ness with all its quirks and charms and overall specialness.
As I ponder my MEness, how about you ponder your YOUness?
Peace,
Paul
P.S. We celebrated a fun anniversary last week: 10 years of sending out the Daily Splashes, a brief quote that was originally posted on social media that we now text each morning. My Patreon Peeps and a few dozen other generous spirits are covering the costs, so this is free for those who have unlimited texting plans. You can learn more here or simply text DAILY SPLASH to 513-436-6599 (It will ask you to share name & birthdate to confirm identity, but we keep that info private. Pinkyswear!).
