Thank you for this, Gayle. I've had my own journey with self and belonging, just like everyone else. When I know myself as a self, stand in and be who I am, without apology and without the need to change (for others or myself), when I can see myself, even though others may not want to or be able to, then I'm as close to freedom and as aware of my the deep interconnectedness to all things as I'll ever be.
Oh Karen, yes, that is it. So much of what we learn as a child, or from family expectations, controls us in a way, doesn't it? Shedding that so we can learn what does fit, makes so much sense. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Pam! Thank you for reading and for these words! Oh man, it took me soooo long to accept myself on the inside... On the outside, I think we sometimes look as though we are all confident and fine, but on the inside... so much self-doubt. It finally gets clearer in these later years ;)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Gayle, although we’ve only known each other for a few years I feel like I’ve known you for much longer. As I read and reflected on your writing I kept thinking about how much I wanted to share your thoughts with other special people in my life, especially the younger generation who are often caught up in the fitting in phase of their lives. I appreciate how you articulate a lot of the thoughts which I have roaming inside my head and in my heart. Your trip to Greece sounds like it was a lovely opportunity to cherish long-time friendship and build new ones!
Thank you, Sandy. Yes, a large part of why I am writing here is in hopes that someone who needs some reassurance about the fact that they are exactly who they are supposed to be just as they, reads some of these pieces. It took my far too long to believe in myself and accept that who I was and strove to be was just right.
This is beautiful Gayle. I recently read The First of Mastery - Stop Worry About What People Think of You, written by Michael Gervais, PhD. Your share brought me back to this book.
🌹🌻🌸💐💚💜❤️🌼😍🥰
Thank you for this, Gayle. I've had my own journey with self and belonging, just like everyone else. When I know myself as a self, stand in and be who I am, without apology and without the need to change (for others or myself), when I can see myself, even though others may not want to or be able to, then I'm as close to freedom and as aware of my the deep interconnectedness to all things as I'll ever be.
I’m so glad you found that freedom, Emily. It takes courage and fortitude! Thank you for reading and commenting on this. It means a lot.
I have to re-find it everyday, but yes, I’m really grateful that I know it exists.
"Maybe the journey isn't about becoming anything.
Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so that you can be who you were meant to be in the first place." - Paulo Coelho
Oh Karen, yes, that is it. So much of what we learn as a child, or from family expectations, controls us in a way, doesn't it? Shedding that so we can learn what does fit, makes so much sense. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
This is a beautiful read Gayle. Thank you for sharing. You’ve always been a beautiful woman inside and out ❤️
Pam! Thank you for reading and for these words! Oh man, it took me soooo long to accept myself on the inside... On the outside, I think we sometimes look as though we are all confident and fine, but on the inside... so much self-doubt. It finally gets clearer in these later years ;)
I couldn’t agree with you more 🥰
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Gayle, although we’ve only known each other for a few years I feel like I’ve known you for much longer. As I read and reflected on your writing I kept thinking about how much I wanted to share your thoughts with other special people in my life, especially the younger generation who are often caught up in the fitting in phase of their lives. I appreciate how you articulate a lot of the thoughts which I have roaming inside my head and in my heart. Your trip to Greece sounds like it was a lovely opportunity to cherish long-time friendship and build new ones!
Thank you, Sandy. Yes, a large part of why I am writing here is in hopes that someone who needs some reassurance about the fact that they are exactly who they are supposed to be just as they, reads some of these pieces. It took my far too long to believe in myself and accept that who I was and strove to be was just right.
This is beautiful Gayle. I recently read The First of Mastery - Stop Worry About What People Think of You, written by Michael Gervais, PhD. Your share brought me back to this book.
Thank you, Sharon , for reading and for letting me know how you connected with it. That sounds like a book for me!