It's been a truly stressful time in my life, but it is opening up into a great new place. I've checked my focus. Relationships are really critical to me when things change or fade I struggle with that. I struggle to let go. I'm focusing on letting those people go. Focusing on the relationships I want to cultivate with people who are actually as invested as I am. It's helping me find a lot of happiness.
I have seen people who I know are fundamentally unhappy. They may appear to have this or that, maybe even be more successful than me. Yet, there's a fundamental unhappiness. I realize that isn't who I want to be.
So, I took stock in the fundamentals of my life. My marriage, my children, my family, my job, my hobbies. I found there's nothing lacking there. Those things are all wonderful. Sure, I could have some more money, be thinner, be prettier, have a bigger home, or another car. Sure, I could have more "stuff" or shallow things but it's not the superficial in my life that are important. The important things in my life are wonderful.
My focus is cultivating this life. That it is the fullest life. Spent in happiness. I sometimes find myself comparing my "successes" to others. I haven't traveled as much in my adult life. I don't own a home yet. Blah blah blah. Then I realize, I have a wonderful marriage, amazing children, and family I love so dearly. Shouldn't success be defined by that happiness?
I'm my hardest critic. We all get bogged in this from time to time. When I'm down in those thoughts, I remind myself, I'm 23 with miles to go. I'll be 45 with miles to go. It's today and the growing I can do right now that should be enough. My job preaches living simply. That's something I value a lot.
So, let the roots of growth go deep. Love, be vulnerable. Be genuine. Count stock in the relationships you have not the things. Don't be afraid to be odd. Be uncomfortable. Love you and love those around you. Let that radiance out.
That's what I'm going to do.