Do you ever catch sight of yourself in the mirror or shadow and think, “Wow, this person has been with me every step of the way. This person has never left my side. She’s trusted me all my life to do the best I can for her.”
I just noticed my shadow as I was rushing up the stairs to catch a train. I felt this flush of affection. This girl has tried so hard all her life to do the right thing, to offer kindness and to find her path. For so many years.. decades!… it all felt so hard. Such a challenge to simply “be.” So many questions of, “Is this enough?” “Am I enough?”
And so this morning, when I noticed her looking kinda Mary Poppins-ish in her shadow, I was overcome with gratitude.
I really like this girl.
And she really likes the world.
Even with all its heartbreak & horrors, she chooses to be here and bring as much light as she can.
She chooses to look for the beauty and love.
It took a whole lot of meditation, reflection, acceptance, and pushing up against internal & external expectations, but this is a new moment. This is a place of permission to be me. Just me, plain & simple.
I wish this for everyone. This feeling that however & whomever we are — through & through— is PERFECT.
We are lovable and perfect exactly as we are.
No hoops to jump through. No masks to don. No uniforms or conformity.
I want to play a larger role in giving people permission to not only be who they are, but to celebrate that person grandly.
I want to help people live & love OUT LOUD.
***
Do you recall a time recently when you felt that permission to be absolutely who you are?
Where were you? Who were you with? What do you think enabled you to feel that acceptance and love for yourself?
I’d love to hear! Will you share your story?
Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,
xo Sherry