“Sometimes when others make you feel
like you are nothing,
look inside your heart and read
what your soul wrote inside:
‘I am enough’ ”
(Dodinsky)
I love seeing people opening up, blossoming and re-connecting with their dreams and their gifts. It is more than heart warming, and I’m not just talking about those women who have been on my workshops or retreats. It is seeing and hearing about people who are no longer in denial of who they are and what they offer the world. I can also find it painful when I see them go into denial of themselves.
Denial
When you go into denial, not only about losses but about good happenings too, it can come from the good intention of protecting yourself while you take things in. It gives you space to breathe, accept, get clarity and then to choose what your next step is. The down side can be that if you stay there too long, denial stops you from accepting and owning the truth.
Truth
You can’t begin to grieve for ‘what has happened, what could have happened ………’ until you acknowledge your truth of your denial – your fear – your wish to shut down.
It’s about coming to terms with your losses, your possibilities and what you’ve left behind you. It is also about how life has turned out and how it could have been if you had chosen to allow all of you into the picture. It’s about letting go of your dreams, expectations, hopes and coming into the reality of what is – this life you now have.
Reality
No way am I saying it is easy to come into your reality – not at all. It can be really painful and I can tell you that from my own experience. As I said before, I can find it painful to see you hiding your light under a bushel when I can see what you have to offer. And I can understand you staying within the safety of your comfort zone as most, if not all, do this at times. What I’m saying is it is about being conscious and aware that you have a choice and can make decisions consciously to allow you to be visible and re-connecting with those dreams as you are now.
Many of us are afraid of allowing ourselves to be visible as then our vulnerability can also be seen. And because society classed it as ‘weak’ when we were growing up, we are afraid of standing up and being counted again. And yet, this way we can release all that energy that has been tied up keeping that door shut on ourselves. It is hard and it is about letting go to all those feelings we have shut off from too. And all those wonderful unique gifts you have to offer the world.
Open the door
You see you are shutting part of yourself off behind that door. Yes, open that door when you choose to open it as you still have the choice of when and how. Then it is time to come into the reality of what is and then there is an opening , a space for those new dreams and possibilities.
I love this quote by James Baldwin and I feel it is appropriate here –“Not everything that’s faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced”.
I want to remind you that when you allow yourself to be you, you are taking your power!! So it is time to step up, step out and be comfortable in your own shoes. You are Enough!!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http://www.thevisiblewoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IreneSignature.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”30px|||”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”30px|||”]Ps. You don’t need to do it all at once – one step at a time is fine in order to leave your ‘Footprints in the Sand’.
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I have spent today driving around in my car and chanting ” I am good enough” feels fantastic, and then I read this perfect synchronicity and perfect message.
I am thrilled that we were on the same wave length today, Elaine, and that you for commenting xx
“I want to remind you that when you allow yourself to be you, you are taking your power!… You are Enough!!” So well said, Irene! And, so powerful. Thanks for the article. I do appreciate it a lot. Going now to share it with my friends. 🙂
I feel for anyone who finds it painful to see the pain people cause themselves. In some ways it is the pain that hurts the most.
I have had few occasions to help someone else, and always a nagging doubt that we are all the proverbial ‘red-assed’ baboons seeing in others what we cannot see in ourselves.
I met someone once who had a technique for mutual examination of traits. I forget the rules, but they prevented destructive comments. We did it – the question and answer – and it touched nerves in both of us. I think there should be more of it – but I forget what the technique was and I have lost touch with the person.
And so it is.
As always, Mirela, thank you for your comments which are much appreciated xxx
Thank you, David, for your comments and love your ‘red-assed’ baboons comment xx
What an inspiring post – thank you! I needed to read it today. I will remind myself of this more often than I have been prone to do!
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Vickie, and I’m pleased it came at the right time for you xx