Priorities

"No one more directly affects your life than the person you choose to spend it with."

Just incase you were wondering... that's my quote, I said that. And it's true. I would imagine most people's initial response would be NO! My children do! Well, yes, children do very much and very drastically affect your life, but who affects those children almost as much as you do? The person you choose to spend your life with. If they parent those children or not, that person directly affects everything in your life. So the question then becomes, do you like how this person affects your life?

There comes a point when your family takes precedence. The family that becomes yours, that you create should be your primary focus. Everything and everyone else becomes secondary. No that doesn't meant do not take care of yourself or pursue your dreams, if anyone knows me they know I am a huge advocate of change, taking leaps, and being true to yourself. But I do believe there is a level of respect and honor that you give your immediately family (you, your significant other, and your children) that places them above other members of your family such as your parents and your siblings. As we grow, the roles people play in our lives change. And at one point, your parents and your siblings were your immediate family and they did come first, but somehow that shifts, and it needs to. Everyone goes on their own way. I'm not saying do not help your family, because yes, that IS what family does, we love and support each other. We give of ourselves, our energy, our money, our space, etc... when we can. When our family is taken care of. Just as you cannot take care of anyone else if you haven't taken care of yourself. The family you  create becomes part of you. They are an extension of you and before you can give to someone outside that, you must ensure that all is well within. Let me be clear that I am not talking about someone whom you are dating, or been in a long term relationship but have not made that commitment to each other. I am also not talking about those people who have a tendency to forget everyone and everything and loose themselves within each relationship that comes along and lasts only months. I'm talking about those who have decided that yes, this person is this person I want to spend my life with, and make that decision again and again.

That's were I'm at. I'm grateful for it, and I offer no apologies. This is a beautiful life. Far greater than I ever imagined. Even on the rough days, I love the way she affects my life. The bigger picture always brings me home.

With Grace & Gratitude...

What If

What if for just a moment, I became okay with everything as it is right now. What if I felt for just a moment that I struggled with nothing. Nothing. I did not struggle with compulsive over-eating, I did not struggle with letting the past go, I did not struggle with allowing myself to be happy. What would that be like? It becomes very quiet. When I let go of worry, a space opens inside of me that allows for manifestation to happen. It frees up tremendous energy to put towards other things, like my dreams, like connecting with my partner. It frees me up to feel the woman inside of me who doesn't really get the chance to shine. The woman who is confident, sure, able to make decisions and face the consequences of those decisions whether they be good or bad... face them and let them go. Someone who regrets nothing, but humble enough to admit when she is wrong, grieve for a moment and move foward. There is this woman inside of me that is closer to who I truly am than anything I've ever known. She moves confidently and gracefully. She feels her emotions but does not allow them to engulf her. I can feel her there. It's not about becoming anything, about changing or doing as much as it is about simply letting go. Feeling that space inside of you where there is peace, where there is strength. It's about allowing that space to open up and grow. Everything happens for a reason, even the good things. It's okay to have good things happen. To embrace my life as it is right now, because it is a good life. I deserve it. To let go of the struggle of finding reason to not fully enjoy this life as it is. I've accepted all the "bad" things in my life. Believing they have given way to something greater. Well, so have the good things. I wouldn't be here, if I were not suppose to be here.