Today I am grateful for a new perspective on boundaries.  I held rigidly to many ideas of what it looked like to have boundaries—always getting what we want, saying no to anything that wasn’t what we wanted, arguing for what we wanted.  There are facets of that that are true—if we want something we can’t let people deter us from our path, and if we believe in something, even if someone else can’t see it, we need to stick with our conviction and understanding.  Our job isn’t to convince people to see things our way, it’s to live things how we see fit.  I had a tendency to cut people out of my life when they conflicted too greatly with my values and beliefs or when I felt they were pushing me too hard in a certain direction.  Now I see that sometimes people do that when they care about us and are afraid of losing us.  Our boundaries aren’t always about keeping people out or protecting an image—sometimes they are about stretching those boundaries and learning new ways.  Sometimes they are about accepting parts of ourself that we didn’t know existed.  Sometimes it’s about being firm in who we are and understanding that if people don’t accept that we need to move on.  Boundaries aren’t always about keeping things out, they are about keeping us on our path.  Sometimes paths weave with certain people—that doesn’t mean they have to guide our path—sometimes we cross and part and cross again.  And that is ok. 

Today I am grateful for change.  Every year I am reminded that change is necessary.  This year in particular seems to have flown right by—I’m not sure how we got from January to April and then suddenly we are in October already.  This year I have faced numerous irreparable changes and I’ve had to dig deep to trust and have faith.  Frankly there are moments my faith feels borne of not being able to do anything else—no other choice.  I do understand at this point trying to hold onto things the way they were or how we want them is entirely futile.  Things change, time moves no matter what we do and all we can do is learn to be present enough to enjoy what we have in front of us right now. There is little we have control over so we need to manage our thoughts, feelings, and who we are instead of the entire world around us.  Sometimes there is need for us to change along with the changes around us.  The world doesn’t slow or stay the same so I find it odd that we now look for routines that keep our days repetitive and predictable. Perhaps that makes us feel safe and in control, but the spirit doesn’t work like that.  We need change, we are change, and we are responsible for change.  Embrace it and see what comes of it. 

Today I am grateful for chances.  I have no idea what’s coming next for me—I like to think that I’ve made my decisions in several regards (career, relationships, health, etc.) but that doesn’t mean I can see the future.  I have a vision of what I want it to be and I’m doing what I think is right—I’m learning to trust what I feel is right.  I have to trust my belief that I can get where I want to be.  I’m no longer the child that needs to play nice or go along with things for the sake of other people’s comfort.  I am equally allowed to build and live the life I see fit.  The only way things will ever go in the direction of my dreams (or anyone’s dreams) is to fully commit and live according to what makes sense.  If we are ever to live the life we want to live we have to start taking chances to do the things that would correspond to creating that life.  We have to take the chance.  Sometimes that means giving people the chance—or at least a chance.  We never know what people are really like until we take the time to get to know them and we never know what we are capable of until we slow down and listen to ourselves and start working like that—working on the things that align with what feels right, what triggers our inspiration.  Give chances, take chances because the biggest regret people have is not taking them when they can.  You never know what you will find out about people, you never know the connections you may make.  You never know what you will find out about yourself until you take the chance to see what you like and what the options are.  Chances can be scary but it’s scarier to not take them.      

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about myself.  Yesterday was the last day of a series of business events we’ve been working on since June.  We recognized early on that the TYPE of event is good for us but the particular event/location/audience isn’t right.  During the course of that realization, a deeper sense of clarity about how I want my business to function and what I want the rest of my days to look like started to develop.  I stared to sense other things that interest me and other things that I may enjoy.  I have many irons in the fire and it takes a lot to keep up with them and it’s time to acquiesce and take some of them out.  That means pausing long enough to see what I’m doing and what’s around me.  That means seeing who I am and what aligns with who I am—and learning that facets of myself have evolved even in these last few short months.  Rigid opinion and belief no longer have room in my life.  Staying steadfast on my path, yes, but making snap decisions doesn’t seem to work anymore.  We are in unprecedented times and we need people and community more than ever and shutting people out is dangerous—I don’t have to do it all on my own.  I’m learning that I can take the chances mentioned above, that I can be a different version of myself than I thought or believed, and that it’s my responsibility to live the best life I can and share that with others.  We surprise ourselves all the time and the universe is there to help us along the way.  Dive in and explore the deepest depths, the highest heights, and just let it all out.

Today I am grateful for releasing.  I’ve had an overwhelming urge at this stage to let go.  Feelings, thoughts, emotions, things, behaviors, habits, certain dreams, certain needs, patterns, crutches, safety/defense mechanisms.  This is the very definition of letting go of what no longer serves or works in our lives.  When we hold onto things that don’t work they become a lead weight.  When we take the time to truly understand where people are coming from, we learn to expand their views and our views as we come to an overall understanding of who we are and what the dynamic needs to be.  We form healthier relationships with others when we have healthier relationships with ourselves.  Clear the clutter, organize what we need, feel better, be better, trust.  The speed this year has passed through seems to be a big indicator/reminder that time is short, life is precious, and that we only have one go around in this iteration of existence, so take what we understand and do the best we can and let go of the rest.  Do our best, be our best, help others how we can, and strive to be who we are meant to be.  Live fully and enjoy.  Love completely, starting with ourselves. Be grateful always.  Spread joy and light, and be fully authentic.  Release the fear, release the weight, release the expectation, and embrace the flow of who we are and love life as it is.  This is a gift—don’t make it hell.  The more we embrace the beauty of who we are and the beauty of what life is and can be, the more we let go of the fear of what we hold onto out of habit.  So let it all go.  Allow, flow, align.  There is great hope and great beauty in this world and we are blessed to be a part of it.  Let go of the rest of the crap and be with the beauty.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.