Becoming more of who you truly are

A foggy autumn morning on our farm at Lavenham. Slowing down and 'being' there, allowed me to be open to capturing the wonder of it's beauty.

It can be hard.  It can be really hard to figure out who you are in this life.  Especially after years, and years of being the 'roles' that you've lived.  We become so lost in those roles.  Whether its the work we do, the gifts we have, our station in a family or a community, we become so much of what we do, that we forget just who it is that we are.  It happens to almost all of us.


I get that.  I live it just like you do, but I am intent on continuing my growth towards who I am and how I want to be spending my time.  That can be difficult and it can be scary.


I have recently taken a big step back from the work that I have been doing for the last twelve years.  It was time, and I knew that, because the joy that filled my heart in doing that work was no longer present.  And if we don't have joy in our lives, what else is there?


It is frightening when you step away from the security of knowing what your income will be, what the expectations of the role you play are, what is familiar. But there is a there is a comfortable peace that comes with those big decisions if your heart knows that they are right for you.  And my heart seems to know.  


Cancer was definitely the catalyst to make the decision, but only a catalyst.  So now at 54 the real work begins, the work of ensuring that I remain authentic to what fires me up, brings me to joy and breaths life into my spirit.  I know that I cannot support others to do that, if I am not living those values myself.


Initially there was a certain amount of guilt in that I am spending so much of my days doing the things that I love to do!  Playing more deeply with my photography, learning more about social media and website development, writing...writing, writing, writing.  And expanding my coaching business and what it can offer others.  But the funny thing about doing what it is you are meant to be doing is that things begin to flow, and they begin to fall into place in some most unexpected ways.  They days go by and if someone asks what you did, it's hard to explain because on one level it could be seen as nothing really, but on a level that really matters you did everything!   It's a wonderful place to be.

Wild purple clover captured after the rain. Lavenham, Manitoba.

Finding yourself and becoming truly you.

The one thing I am very intentional about is that whatever I am doing, it is aligned with my passions.  My list is always close at hand, and if I question something as to whether it is moving me closer to my vision and my passion I pull that list out and read it through one more time.  If the answer is no, then I put the request or the activity aside, and return to what fuels my spirit.  That can be challenging in it's own right, because so many of us live our lives as people pleasers that have spent decades saying yes to what matters least, sacrificing what matters most, in an effort to please others in our lives.  To not let others down.  To not be considered selfish or self-centered by those we love.  


But the truth is, that those that love us are going to keep loving us.  They will begin to see those actions not as an insult, but as you making self-care a priority in your life, and respecting that.  And in an ideal world, they will see the value of doing that for themselves as well when they see you lead by example.


So here's to always growing and to growing all ways.  Here's to taking the leap of faith that this is what is meant to happen at this stage of life, and trusting that the net will be there to catch you.  Here's to knowing that the universe will provide for you when you are aligned and living the life that you were intended to live.  Sharing the gifts that only you have to share, doing the 'work' that your gifts and passions were intended to do.  And spreading the light that is YOU into this world.  Here's to each of us being who we truly are...being Truly You!

Note to my readers:  I need you to know that if you do decide to click on any of the advertisements on my site, I may receive compensation as an affiliate of these businesses that I support...but I hope you know that in doing so you are supporting my own vision of living life on my own passionate terms and being truly me!