Happiness Is Found In Solid Steps.

With age comes wisdom. The numbers do not lie. They never do. It is true, that I get older. No denial possible, but I feel that I get something in return for my walk on this planet. A feeling of peace. Acceptation for life as it is and for who I really am. If I could zoom back to my younger self, I would have an interesting conversation. I would hug myself and tell myself that it is fine that I spent time worrying, being scared and doubting. I thought that the reality that I was seeing and experiencing was the way the world worked. Now I am aware that I have seen the world around me through the lens of self-limiting beliefs. I might also have been influenced by beliefs that I picked up from my environment.

Time used never comes back. It feels good to be compassionate towards myself as this will lead to being more compassionate to others. I am allowed to be human, to show my emotions, both negative as positive ones. I do not have to be strong all of the time. I can fail and learn from it. It is all fine. I do not have to hide who I truly am. I am human and I do not have to be perfect. It is perfectly okay to be imperfect. It gives a good feeling to be vulnerable. Whenever I truly listen to what another human being is sharing with me, I see now the courage it took that person, to be authentic. It creates a deeper bond. I can accept others for who they are. I feel honored when someone dares to be real.

Moreover, by removing all roles that I thought I had to play to be accepted by others, I regain more balance. I am better able to take solid steps in the direction of my desired life. The luggage is gone. Heavy weight lost. Not that I have to reach that destination, I am allowed to work towards that future, but it will not change how I feel about myself, because I accept myself as I am. I do not need to prove myself anymore. I stopped comparing myself to others. There is only one version of me and that is enough. Everyone has his or her own cards in life. No life is better than another one. No judgment. No ranking. I will further ensure that I let my best version of me unfold every day more.

The following twelve steps of awarenesses might support me in being more me and as a consequence, help you to be more you, I let you decide how you apply it and whether you want to apply it:

1. S uccess is personal.

Everyone has the right to define it in his or her own way. What if success means, that I have reached the point where I accept myself exactly for who I am.

2. O penness to others creates deeper connections.

When I share my true feelings to others, they can better sense my essence, and the conversation goes deeper. Otherwise I might just pretend to touch someone else.

3. L oving myself is loving others as well.

It is true that I can only give to others, what I have learned to practice first. When I accept and love myself, others are allowed to tap into the same positive energy.

4. I nsights are the tools that lighten up my path.

By consciously uncovering my self-limiting beliefs, I can let go all behavior that is based on that belief. I become a new version of myself. The old self has become redundant.

5. D aring is caring.

Bravery is a sign of healthy and human behavior. When I admit that I have moments of doubts, worries and fears, life does not feel so much as a struggle anymore. Let me care about all my feelings.

6. W asting time is what happens when I am not authentic.

Life is short. Time is precious. For every second that I am not true to myself, I give power away. It is just a waste of time. Let me focus on displaying my true human magnificence.

7. A llowing life to come as it is.

When I learn to take the day as it comes, and live day by day, life feels like a divine present that I am carrying with respect and gratitude. Let me not take life for granted.

8. L earning to dance with the unknown.

Life does not need to be perfect. I do not need to be perfect. True beauty lies in the imperfectionism and the unknown. Once I have opened my eyes, I see the miracle of life on every level.

9. K nocking at my own door.

Let me find myself first and knock at my own door, to verify if I am home. Truly home. At ease in my own presence. If I can do that, I am a delightful guest in the house of my beloved ones.

10. I n 15 minutes I can shift.

Once I learn to honor all my feelings, I can let go the negative ones and welcome the positive ones. I no longer have to hide myself behind the clouds. There is always sunshine after the rain.

11. N obody can walk in my shoes.

It makes no sense to pass judgment to others. I learn more about myself each and every day, and I am not always an example myself, so let me give others space to be who they can be and are.

12. G reatness is reached when I have become one with my divine self.

What if there is a golden statue hidden inside me, and like Michelangelo I just need to take away every layer, in the shape of self-limiting beliefs, until I have found my deepest treasure, my true self?

Solid steps can do so much for my happiness. I use my energy in the most healthy way. I only look at my own garden. What can I do to plant more beautiful plants and flowers? By taking care of my own piece of land, I make the world a more thriving place. With age I become more resilient and more aligned with the universal energies. I am better able to put things into their perspective. Things that mattered once, can become meaningless. I adjust and choose what makes me feel good. So let me doubt, worry and fear when I want, so that once I gave it a place, I can turn towards the light again. With more love.

By Liesbeth Leysen

Spoken version: http://vocaroo.com/i/s1Isb5vGTMZy

Creative Commons license 3.0