Cultivating Inner Peace - The Things I Thought I Was...
I used to think I was an introvert simply because I preferred being alone or with a small group of friends.
When I truly began my spiritual journey, it took me a while to realize that what I was craving was inner peace and not necessarily solitude. I had allowed my life to be so chaotic that I felt best when I was alone. Over the course of time and much inner work, I’ve become much more at ease being in bigger groups of people and have actually begun to enjoy it.
This has been a profound realization for me, and it has transformed my perspective on setting boundaries. It’s always my intention to put myself in situations where I’m surrounded by those who uplift my soul. Through cultivating inner peace through my spiritual practices such as meditation, reading and mentorship, I’ve unlocked the ability to be at ease with people who align with my values and don’t disturb my tranquility. It’s a beautiful journey of self-discovery that has brought me closer to my authentic self. It has also forced me to rethink the people I spend time with and the situations I choose to put myself in!
Now, I do my best to prioritize my well-being and set healthy boundaries. It’s not always easy to do this but I work so much and have very little free time, so it’s important that I spend my time with people that I truly want to be around. I’m learning that it’s okay to say no and create space for what truly nourishes my mind, body and soul. Surrounding myself with people who radiate positive energy and uplift my spirit is my first priority. If I am with someone who drains me or leaves me with negative feelings…I wish that person well, but I choose not to spend time with them. It’s feels empowering to be in charge of how I spend my time, knowing that I’m honoring my own needs and protecting my energy. Every one is on their own path, on their own time and I can love them but I can’t fix what’s wrong. I’m certainly not saying that I won’t be there for a friend who is going through a bad or hard situation because certainly, we all go through those times. Some people are creating their lives and some are living by default. I choose to create mine!
Remember, you deserve to be surrounded by those who appreciate and support your well-being. If you are someone who feels very introverted, it could be because you are protecting your inner peace as I was. I still call myself an introverted extrovert, because I do love and need my time alone, but I’m embracing more and more situations where I know I’ll be uplifted by the people I’m surrounded by. You, too might find more extroverted tendencies around those who encourage you to live a life aligned with your highest good.
This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak in front of a group of 100+ women! The topic was being fabulous in midlife! Being fabulous is not about what you wear or how you look…it’s about who you are becoming. We are all, always, becoming more and more of who we are authentically, if that’s what we choose!
I will admit that I was nervous when I began to speak, but, that slowly went away as I looked around and realized that every one of the women in the audience had their own struggles, fears and insecurities. My job, as I was speaking was to create community among us, to talk about possibilities and to encourage each and every woman there to create a life they are in love with! At that point, they will dress to please themselves and be fabulous inside and out! That’s what I’m talking about!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post…as we go along our journeys, we discover more and more of who we truly are and that’s such a beautiful thing!
What have you discovered about yourself and how have you taken action in your life to set healthy boundaries and be your most authentic self? Leave me a comment (please) and let me know! Also…if you know someone who would enjoy these posts, please share!