In our journey through life, it's common to find ourselves tethered to old stories that replay in our minds like a record stuck on repeat. These stories often spin tales of inadequacy, failure, and persistent misfortune. They're based on our past experiences, and though they may have once served a purpose, they now act as shackles, preventing us from reaching our full potential and embracing the abundance of opportunities waiting for us. 

The essence of moving forward and breaking free from these burdens lies in understanding that while these narratives become tied to parts of who we are, they don't have to define our future. It's a subtle yet profound realization that the power to change our story and thereby our life is within our grasp. It requires acknowledging that we are, indeed, responsible for healing the wounds of our past and lightening the load we've been carrying.

A common misconception is that rewriting our story means relinquishing control to those who have wronged us or to the situations that have caused us pain. However, if we let these narratives continue to control our emotions and limit our growth, aren't we allowing those circumstances to retain their power over us?

The goal isn't to forget what happened—our brains are not designed to simply erase memories. But rather, it's about reshaping our understanding of these experiences, allowing us to view them through a lens of self-compassion and understanding. It's about learning to not punish ourselves for how we reacted or what decisions we made in the past based on what we knew and felt at the time.

The question "What is the learning moment in this?" is one I hear often, and my response challenges us to reflect on what actions or decisions, in hindsight, could illuminate the importance of our experiences. It encourages us to recognize our growth and resilience, rather than remaining fixated on what we perceive as mistakes or missed opportunities.

It might initially seem trivial or overly optimistic to adopt this perspective, but it might just be the shift needed to take a meaningful step forward in your life. 

So ask yourself, what would you want your past self, the one who endured that painful experience, to know from a place of self-compassion? Understanding that you've always done the best you could with the knowledge and resources available to you at the time can be a powerful foundation for rewriting your narrative. It's about embracing your story, learning from it, and then letting it propel you towards a future where you are unburdened and free to live your life to its fullest

So, what do you want your past self to know about his/herself and their experience?

• Re-examine your circumstance from a distance. Knowing what you know now, what do they (your past self) need to know that will absolutely help them move beyond their current place of understanding/feeling?
• What did they need most that they didn't receive in that moment of time. What can you offer them now?

There is no time like the present ✍️ 

Dear Me,