We are our Greatest Teachers

For the better part of my life I have looked to others to tell me what to do. To tell me what the right path in life is. The right choice. The right thing for my body. I’ve met some pretty incredible people and some have really opened my eyes to the world. Others have made me feel boxed in.

At the end of the day, it’s you vs the world. I don’t mean that in a self isolating ‘you are all alone in this‘ kind of way. On the contrary. The one person that will always be there for you is you. and that’s something to celebrate.

I write in my journal and those pages are for me but writing on here and publishing it to the world, even if not many people read this, makes me feel like I am contributing to something bigger than myself.

We can read all of the books and podcasts and attend all of the lectures and trainings but none of it makes a difference unless we can understand how it relates to our own lives. Because true understanding in my mind is being able to feel the impact of what you have learned and then act with intention and awareness.

The picture above was taken at a restaurant I was eating dinner at with my parents. and in this moment I was learning how to live in the space I have created for myself as an adult having evolved from the younger version of me who was around my parents all of the time. I have matured and have a very different perspective on the world and my life compared to how I viewed life 10 years ago. There is no right path prescribed to you by anyone else. The only right path is choosing to live a life that makes you happy.

The biggest point of growth I have been experiencing is my definition of safety. Really what safety feels like. When I was still living at home safety meant pleasing every single person in my life; parents, friends, coaches, teachers, parents of friends, the list goes on. When it comes down to it I was living my life for others. My life felt safe if I was following the path someone else had mapped out for themselves. I thought of that as safety because I could see it worked. The scariness and uncertainty was taken out of the equation. But it never really was. Because I was never living my life as me. I was living it as a version of me I thought someone wanted or would make someone happy. And I am just now realizing that my life is my own. And I am the only one in charge of making myself happy and successful. Everyone else can think what they want but at the end of the day it’s me living in this world. And there is so much awe and joy to experience. In the big and little moments. But in order to truly experience those I can only do that if I am connected and in touch with myself. Because otherwise I am living for someone else. And those awe inspiring small moments touch me and warm me because they are MY moments. They mean something to me. And they don’t have to mean anything to anyone else. They don’t have to make sense to anyone else but me. And understanding and accepting that has been one of the greatest teachings of the last year.

I am so grateful for those who have entered my life along the way and helped me realize this. I couldn’t have done it without the kind, loving and authentic people (you know who you are) who have supported me and let me be.

I am constantly learning and constantly asking myself what makes me happy. Along the way I am finding out who I am and what I want. And it’s the most beautiful journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.