ChiptRedNails

YOUTH

quotations and guidance from my notebook, that I unfortunately did not site at the time.

"

Often in very old age, people develop a new perspective on life.

Looking back over the years, coming closer to the end of life, many older and wiser people come to appreciate the folly in living life in accord with others' expectations.

At some point in life, it simply doesn't matter that much anymore what other people think of you.

Letting go of the pressure to conform or to please others, you may be better able to live more according to your own inner needs, values, and beliefs.

"

GRAMMA EMO

"IMAGINE YOURSELF AS A VERY OLD PERSON.

PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO ONLY HAS A SHORT TIME TO LIVE.

PLAY WITH THIS IMAGE A BIT-GET INTO IT ENOUGH TO REALLY EXPERIENCE HOW THINGS MIGHT SEEM FROM SUCH A PERSPECTIVE.

THEN ASK YOURSELF:

"WHAT THINGS AM I READY TO LET GO OF?"

"WHAT FELT OBLIGATIONS CAN I GRATEFULLY REALEASE?"

"HOW DOES IT FEEL TO DIVORCE MYSELF FROM OTHERS' JUDGEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS?"

THIS CAN HELP YOU MORE CLEARLY CONNECT WITH YOUR MORE PRIVATE AND AUTHENTIC SELF.

IT CAN ALSO HELP TO IDENTIFY CURRENT SOURCES OF FELT CRITICISM OR JUDGEMENT.

ITS IMPORTANT TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY REGARDING YOUR INNER AND UNIQUE SELF,

TO ANCHOR YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN BELIEFS, VALUES, ACTIVITIES, AND TO EMBRACE (RATHER THAN DISCOUNT) THESE PERSONAL SOURCES OF MEANINGFULNESS AND ALIVENESS.

"

"I YAM WHAT I YAM" -POPEYE

"

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING METAPHOR:

IF YOU HAD A PRECIOUS YET FRAGILE FAMILY HEIRLOOM AND YOU WANTED TO INTRUST IT TO SOMEONE FOR SAFE-KEEPING, YOU WOULDN'T GIVE IT TO JUST ANYONE, NOR WOULD YOU HAND IT OVER TO SOMEONE WHO WOULD DAMAGE OR NEGLECT IT.

YOU WOULD CHOOSE SOMEONE WHOM YOU CAN REALLY TRUST, SOMEONE WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE VALUE AND PRECIOUSNESS OF THE OBJECT.

LIKEWISE, ITS A GOOD IDEA TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT REVEALING YOURSELF ONLY TO THOSE WHOM YOU REALLY TRUST.

TO WHOM DO YOU INTRUST YOUR PRIVATE THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, NEEDS, WISHES, AND FEARS?

WITH WHOM IS EMOTIONAL VULNERABILITY SAFE?

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH COMPANIONS WHO CAN APPRECIATE AND SUPPORT YOU, NOT THOSE WHO THROW SALT IN THE WOUND.

"

Keep on Keepin' it Real
xoxo