I had my 29th birthday on Thursday. It’s crazy to me that I have lived 29 years. The number seems like its been a long time , but it literally feels like yesterday I was in elementary. And also, I don’t always feel like I am very good at this adult thing.

 

I like to set a goal each year. Have a word to strive to embody. And, as I reflect, on past words I can see growth in each year of life. Growth in acceptance, growth in moving forward. Growth in being present in friendships. Growth in understanding myself and the way I function. Growth in understanding my emotions and feelings and how to accept them and not react in them. Growth in incorporating mindfulness in each area of my life.

This season seems to be shaping up into one of walking in what it means to authentically love myself in all that encompasses my being.

 

I am in a season of seeing the work I have been putting in become heart knowledge, which is allowing me to walk in freedom.

 

 

 The truth is, I have always been free. I have not been lacking or doing without. I just wasn’t able to sit still enough, because of the fear to see that everything I need is already within me.

 

It was only when I learned how to drop the story, drop the judgement, and change the perception I had of my experience, that I began to heal and really allow myself to look at all the things that were getting in the way of looking at the fullness of who I am.

 

I am really encouraged about this year. My goal is to continue to explore and live in what it means to be fully present, to walk in gratitude and compassion. Gratitude for where I am . Gratitude for who is in my life, and what life has brought me. Compassion for myself and for those around me, and who I come in contact with. Just walking in the fullness of what I have found to be within me.

What would it take for you to be still and look within? To find the strength you have within you?

 

Gratitude is an essential part of being present. When you go deeply into the present, gratitude arises spontaneously.

– Eckhart Tolle

Be encouraged,

Rachael