A Letter to Myself
Photo by Brent Gorwin ~ “I was in Austin, Texas on a cool early morning and walked into an amazing coffee shop called Figure 8. I saw this man relaxing outside with his journal. Made me think about how much distraction we have in our days and made me think of how we need to get out on a gorgeous day and spend time in thoughts and prayer and think about how we are only given one day at a time. We need to make the most of it and be thankful and love others.”
Dear Friends,
How are you and how is your heart?! I am doing well (I think?) These times in quarantine are really amazing. I go from moments when I can’t stand the isolation at all, not one more minute, to revelatory moments that feel expansive and healing.
One of the things that has been happening is that I am starting to know what I don’t want to lose, going forward.
So I decided to write a letter to myself to deepen into these values. It’s a way of accountability to myself, to be in integrity, as I listen to my deeper self and go further. I don’t want to forget what I have learned.
Dear Lizabeth,
It has been so nice to be with you and hear your voice come through in the uncertainty of these days. I am grateful for the silence and stillness of our world so that I can finally slow down to listen.
In our younger years, there was much to do and take care of, to raise a family and make ends meet.
Now I have more time, and I realize that the part of me that pushed and stayed busy and productive for so long doesn’t want to give up. That part of me still wants to keep working, working, working, when I try to slow down.
This part of me will always be here, she served a purpose and was a guide.
I hear you. It is time to ease up. To heal the underlying exhaustion in my bones. To take baths and naps and look around and see what is here in the moment.
One thing you’ve made clear: in order to live into my new life, I need to welcome in the part of me that pushed for more, who was so productive and accomplished so much.
Welcome her into my arms, and then let her know that ‘I’ve got this now’, that she can ease up and sit back and rest.
Thank you for showing me myself, giving me appreciation of where I am and where I came from, of the wisdom I’ve gained, of the years ahead.
You have made it clear that it’s ok to relax, to live a life that is one of opportunity and not of obligation. Thank you. These are the things I want:
- to live an unpressured life
- to pause a lot and reflect before I act or speak
- to bring pleasure into my life every day
- to continue to welcome all parts of myself and choose consciously who is in the driver’s seat
- to notice the sunrises and the sunsets
- to be kind to myself and others
- to love and be loved
- to keep practicing to relax with what is
- to find what makes my heart sing and do more of that
- to be of service to the Earth which sustains us all
From here, with these values, I go forward. Thank you for turning up the volume so I can hear you.
Hugs,
Me
I invite you to get quiet these days and reflect on what you don’t want to give up from what you have learned during this quarantine time. The way out is through, and we never go back, only forward.
Try writing your own letter to yourself! And give yourself some hugs, literally. And lastly, remember that a self massage with oil is a wonderful way to receive touch during these times!
Sending love,
Lizabeth