I have one question for you, a question that is fitting for the New Year, as many of us look toward the year ahead and create goals for this new chapter in our life.
That question is: How is your relationship with your Self?
Perhaps I can ask this question a few other ways: have you built a relationship with yourself over the years? Do you enjoy your own company? How are you nurturing your bond with yourself?
The best way I can relate this to you is by telling you a story about me and myself…
There was a time in my life when I was hoping to mend and grow a friendship that had taken its own course. If I was honest with myself then, I was really hoping for this friendship to be the way it was during the beginning: strong, reciprocated, and fun. This friendship weakened over time, was not fun, and eventually, was not reciprocated. I asked myself, “Why am I putting so much energy toward this relationship, when I can spend such time and energy building my relationship with my self?” After all, I am the one person I have to live with every single day for the rest of my life. (P.S. This goes for all of us)!
I’m a fan of a lot of things, including a-ha moments. This was one of those times for me, and I began an earnest desire to build a conscious, authentic relationship with myself, to count on myself as my own best friend, and to value the gifts I can give to others and to myself. I began to journal more, honor my feelings, listen to my intuition, learn to let go, and respect the seasons in my/our lives. I was open to people leaving my life and maybe coming back. I learned that I have choices about whom I surround myself with, and so does everyone else. That I didn’t owe anyone anything or vice versa. That out of the goodness of our hearts, we share and care for each other. That friendship and all relationships should be voluntary, not forced. Surprisingly to me, it wasn’t too difficult letting the “chips fall as they may” in this friendship. I believe it was because I learned a huge lesson from it: the relationship I needed to feed even more was the one with myself.
Your entire life encompasses an amazing art: caring for yourself. How you go about your life is your personal work.
Do you like your artwork?
I hope you use this año nuevo as an opportunity to get to know yourself better, to listen to your needs, and to grow closer in friendship with your wonderful Self.
It’s never too late to create more color and vibrancy in your life. Be intentional, be grateful for the opportunity to create, and be resolute as you tackle this New Year!
Cheers to you!