As we’re liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others. ~ Marianne Williamson
Last night
at a family gathering celebrating a milestone birthday for my brother and two
other birthdays, my niece and nephew, a major thought occurred to me as I spoke
to my oldest nephew. I tried to teach him something I hope he will understand
one day. With all I have learned through challenges, triumphs, loss, and
incredible moments of clarity in my life, what would be the most important
lessons I would teach my younger self or hopefully my own kids some day? When I
say younger self, this can mean “younger” as in a day ago, a month ago, ten
years ago, or thirty years ago. The bottom line is our individual journeys are
constantly in the flow of our current beliefs in ourselves or the
contradictions that force us to grow. Over the last several months I've come to
trust that I am fully at peace with who I am; this after having my confidence
shaken tremendously. I’m incredibly grateful that these monumental changes came
to me. It’s okay for me to be a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, to be a
man of determination and conviction, a man who truly believes in unconditional
love and regards that over all else. I can be stubborn and loyal to a fault,
tough enough to risk my life for others, yet soft enough write poetry. I've never been interested in being what others believe I should be, yet for a time
I fell into that trap. I will listen to advice, I will seek wisdom. However, with
all of my “advisers” and people who believe they know how I should be living
and telling me how; I will trust my heart first and foremost because that is
where my truth lies.
I will be
brave enough to break down walls that I have built around myself in order to be
the greatest man I can be. I will have enough faith in both myself and The
Universe that each and every moment is perfect even when it doesn't feel that
way. I will continue to give without any expectation of return. I now know that
I am worthy of the greatest life possible and I want to build just that;
hopefully alongside someone who makes me better, who balances out my complexities
with purity and a smile that makes my heart sing. In turn, I will be the best
silly, happy, loving, and compassionate guy I was created to be. I could be a
rock for anyone; there is nothing this world can throw at me that I have not
seen. I will provide support, love, affection, and all I can in every way because
that is what my soul longs to do. I will treat people the way I want to be
treated and communicate openly with those who matter most in my life. I will
set out to make the world a better place humbly, respectfully, and with dignity.
I will do my very best to be grateful for all that I do have and instead of dwelling
on what I lack, I will work toward getting to the place I dream of being. I
will kiss passionately, bask in spontaneity, love eternally and deeply. I will
not be afraid to dance fast and hard no matter what I look like; I will cherish
every slow dance I’m blessed enough to have, allowing my heart to melt with
another. I will continue to act, to write, to create no matter how long it
takes to “get it right”. I will be grateful for the surprise moments in life
when my heart pounds, my body trembles, and my words flow out unmanaged. I will
always have the audacity to laugh at myself when my idiotic tendencies come
rushing out of me. I will never ever be afraid to tell the ones I love that I
love them. I will cherish this life every moment of every day through each
experience that helps create who I am. Hey, younger self, live life your way,
without fear and always follow your heart! I got your back always. That goes
for you too future self! What I know now, I wouldn’t change for anything! May
everyone feel free enough to follow their bliss. Cheers.
