Continuing on our topic from yesterday, I want to talk about the facets of these relationships which are actually healthy but they are holding us back.  This isn’t to suggest any kind of superiority or hierarchy against people, but we do all have different experiences in our lives which do put us in different positions.  We can’t get to the point where we are letting people limit our experience because of where they are at in the journey.  No one can tell us what is enough for us in our lives—and there is no need to start over if something is legitimately working for us.  Trust me, I’ve decided to throw away progress when it got tough because I was around people who were at that beginning stage so I felt like I needed to start again.  All that does is keep us in the same cycle over and over again.  We also need to recognize what fears we harbor that don’t belong to us.  Those are limitations set by other people. 

Whoever it is, they don’t get to tell us what is enough.  I’m not saying be boastful or put someone down for where they are at or for what they enjoy—that isn’t how we lift each other up or learn. And one thing I’m learning in this balancing act is that just because I’ve been there and done that with some of these experiences, that doesn’t mean that I don’t have things to learn as well.  They have a different perspective so believe me, there is still a lot to learn. While we don’t need to diminish someone else’s excitement, we don’t need to settle for where they are at either.  The way we help each other is to share our perspective and not place demands on how people experience it.  We also advance when we follow our instincts and stick with what is right for us.

It’s a balancing act, a continual growth and shedding, a deconstruction and building.  This is how we are designed, how we are meant to be.  Life is about experience and creation and we are here to help each other and part of that is recognizing our contributions.  If we feel like we are beyond something, then we need to consider that we are there to advance those around us.  Knowing ourselves is key.  Knowing when we need something more is crucial.  We don’t want to stagnate.  We want to create.  Accept where we are and our role in it as well as responsibility for moving forward and making changes.  And always, be grateful for where we are and what we learn.  Don’t discount a lesson we need or a lesson we need to give so appreciate any opportunity we have.