So…I turned a half a century old this summer, in the company of my husband who I am crazy in love with, and with a couple of friends. (Yes, really)
And guess what? I’m not even a little embarrassed to tell you my age. Know what else? I married a younger man- That’s right. NOW we’re getting to the good stuff. How much younger, you ask? Thirteen SCANDALOUS years younger. I also have 4 children, two of which I’m still raising, and none of whom he fathered. Skeleton-in-the-closet- enough for you?
How about this one…
I’m also an incest survivor. Ahhh, now, maybe you didn’t know that one. If you’re waiting for me to show you some scars, sorry to disappoint. I’m over that one too, and the scars have long faded into memory. Why am I telling you all of this?
Because I can; as in I am able to. I am not ashamed of any of these things.
These are the kind of personal details people like to whisper about…as if they were something to be ashamed of. Think about it- Is there in your heart and soul something you trot out when a hearty dose of self loathing is called for? When only a “mental flogging” will suffice? Why do we do that to ourselves? The worst part is that not only do we do it to ourselves, but then we give others the power to do it to us too.
We sometimes ALLOW others to demean our experiences, impart a sense of shame upon us based on the machine of their own faulty judgments, or we’re guilty of failing to speak up for ourselves. I’m certainly not perfect; I falter…and I’ve spoken poorly of someone and been guilty of “judging “but at least I’m honest enough to call myself out on it, most days. And if I’m not, J.C. has that one covered.*Have I mentioned that one of the qualities I find so appealing about Mr. Wilson is his brave, courageous, and sometimes foolish, soul? *
If you wish to see what kind of person you truly are at heart, look to your friends, and the people you choose to surround yourself with. Who comprises your “inner circle”? Gossiping is not good conversation, folks. People who “create drama” and “stir pots” and devalue those close to them are not going to be the people who encourage you to fly- instead, you will easily recognize them for their inability to give wing to any dreams of their own, or worse yet- they fail to encourage others to. Choose to surround yourself with the falcons, not the mockingbirds.
photo courtesy of morguefile.com
Be happy with who and what you are, take not only credit but responsibility for what you’ve created and own it all. Sometimes people try to diminish their own smallness by magnifying someone else’s faults. It’s sad, but they really never learned any other way of being. It’s up to you to decide what you wish your life to reflect; it is a choice we are always making- Who am I RIGHT now? Doesn’t matter who you were yesterday. Own it, and then let it go. The past is where it belongs- leave it in the rearview, baby.
That’s called Freedom. The view from here is breath-taking.
Until next time-
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