Transitioning into Fall
To start, I want to say how much I truly honor you and am grateful to each and every one of you. This is a place where I come to share openly and honestly with you and to hopefully, inspire you. I love to share my experiences of living mindfully and how I create days filled with creativity and inspiration. But, I am human and sometimes wrestle with other emotions.
So, I just want to say
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL TODAY
I am sitting in my pity-party.
It has been hard for me to “get back into the routine of the school year”. This summer was so amazing, so incredible, so life-changing that I feel so wrenched inside that it is over. I mean, I did get married to my best friend and had a wonderful vacation at the beach. I really was intentional this summer about spending every free moment in the present and creating joyful experiences for myself and my family. We camped, had an outdoor movie night, hiked and played at several of the finger lakes, and created wonderful nights feasting on succulent food by the light of candles.
So why be sad?
What I began to realize is that although the external experiences were amazing, what I am most sad about is the way that my family came together internally. We connected on a deeper inner level. We genuinely had fun. We celebrated and laughed. We just truly enjoyed being together and everyone felt valued for who they are. That to me is the most amazing gift we can give each other. The gift of truth and love.
Now, my wife is off to school (she is an amazing 3rd-grade teacher), my daughters to college (thank God community and not too far away yet), and my son in middle school.
And I need to grief the ending of the time we shared and the love we created through our experiences.
So here is how I do it:
First I say “it’s ok to step into your sadness and grief, you don’t have to try to hide.”
Then I allow any tears to flow that need to. Sometimes I will write about it or talk about it with close friends.
What I don’t do is:
Deny it
Hide it
Shame it or
Feel embarrassed by it.
My grief and sadness are just parts of me that at times need to take a turn at expressing themselves. When I own it and allow these qualities to be ok then I can move forward and open myself up to different experiences.
This is what living authentically looks like, owning not just the light parts of yourself, but having the courage to own the dark parts as well.
I feel lighter already sharing this with you!
Here’s to owning all of you,
Maggie
