Shed what no longer fits.
Shed what no longer works.
Shed what no longer helps you feel strong.
Shed old habits, old patterns, old relationships that
cause discomfort.
Shed that old and tired way of reacting.
Shed that insecure smile – the one that didn’t make
it all the way up into your eyes.
Shed the beliefs that detract from who you really are – no
matter what they are.
Shed any pounds you’re carrying – be they on your body
or your spirit.
None of these things ever worked anyway.
If you can’t see a good reason to carry it – shed it.
Tell me that doesn’t make you think! I am constantly talking about labels and trying to understand the long standing voices that are in our heads that we are unconscious of. We will continue to try to find places, new friends, and complete strangers to try on new labels.
Here’s an example of what I am talking about….If I go over to this group that are “granolas” and they have only just met me, and don’t know who I am or who I want to be…. I can pretend to be a granola with them and not feel judged. Verses trying this label on with friends or family that would be quick to play back all the things I have said in the past to set me apart from this lifestyle…ie…”I am a meat and potatoes kind of girl.” Here’s what I finally realize. It’s never been about my friends and family holding me in those labels I have created. I have made the unconscious choice to keep myself in those labels and I have also been unfair to my loved ones that they wouldn’t be my safe place to try on new ones.
Think about when you meet someone new. Maybe that person gets a picture of you from the get together and paints it to the next person with words such as…
“this is my friend Kathy….she is so beautiful. She’s incredibly inspiring, you should hear her story. She is so creative, open, and such a good listener.”
Now my learned reaction is…(they misunderstood me and have me in the wrong box…I was just pretending to be those things for a moment, but I am really this other person). So I would respond with…
“Oh, you’re too kind, but you have me mistaken. I’m not inspiring, my story is just like so many out there. I don’t think I am that creative because I am always just copying other artist’s art. I started out just like you and I just luck out every once in a while. Oh, and I am the worst listener ever. I am always thinking of the next thing I am going to say and then predicting how you will receive it, and what you might think of me.” Does this defense mechanism sound familiar. The sabotaging that goes on when someone is saying something great about us that we don’t believe ourselves?
I’m glad I am writing about these inner thoughts to show you and I both how silly we are. Why are we so quick to make sure that everyone we meet, sees us the way we see ourselves? Why are we the first to get in our own way when we are trying to be something different or see something with fresh eyes? When I tell myself that I want to be free….it’s free from myself. I want to be free of the labels that I have created and I want to see myself with fresh eyes. I am feeling overwhelming emotions coming to me in this moment (probably the dramatic music in the background that makes me feel like I am in a movie). Like a beautiful snake that is ready to begin fresh…I begin the process of shedding my old skin. I am no longer want to be the person that keeps getting in my own way. I release the old patterns and old language that are keeping me paralyzed from moving to my incredibly, intended greatness that awaits me:) Thank you for being my safe place to be the new me!
I don’t think I have ever asked to have you leave comments, but I want to try this out. I want you to leave a comment about you. Something that you wouldn’t admit somewhere else, something you have been waiting to try on. Something that you have never given yourself the freedom to accept. For instance. I am a morning person. Or.. I am curious about other religions. Or..I look most beautiful when I am trying something new. Give yourself the freedom to see yourself with those fresh eyes and tell me what it is you would see. I believe you. I will always be a safe place for you to try on that new you….or shed the old.
And I also want to leave you with this fun, little ditty that Jake helped me with the other day. This will be a fun feature to play with. Enjoy:) Sorry if it makes you dizzy because it is moving while you are trying to read this;) I’ll give it some space so you can scroll it out of sight.
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
SHED
