It is only by risking ourselves from one hour to another that we live at all. –William James
Living through enough, we all come to this understanding, though it is difficult to accept: No matter what path we choose to honor, there will always be conflict to negotiate. If we choose to avoid all conflict with others, we will eventually breed a poisonous conflict within ourselves. Likewise, if we manage to attend our inner lives, who we are will – sooner or later – create some discord with those who would rather have us be something else. – Mark Nepo, A BOOK OF AWAKENING; January 17: The Friction of Being Visible
Learn how to say no. The art of saying no with grace and ease is one of the most important skills you can ever develop. The beauty of midlife is that you’ve now paid your dues and have had enough life experience to know what is likely to drain you and what will replenish you. In her groundbreaking book THE ART OF EXTREME SELF-CARE (Hay House, 2009), my colleague Cheryl Richardson writes, “Funny, but after years of practicing Extreme Self-Care, I’ve realized something ironic: if you want to live an authentic, meaningful life, you need to master the art of disappointing and upsetting others, hurting feelings, and living with the reality that some people just won’t like you. It may not be easy, but it’s essential if you want your life to reflect your deepest desires, values, and needs.” I couldn’t agree more. Which is why I loved the chapter in her book entitled “Let Me Disappoint You”! – Christiane Northrup, THE WISDOM OF MENOPAUSE
Being visible in the world as your authentic self may not always be easy. But who at the end of life will say, “I wish I had changed myself more to try and make others happy”?
It wouldn’t work anyway.
Authentically Yours,
Laura
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