This is a weekly publication exploring the 6 pillars of my Live BRIGHTer program. The pillars spell out BRIGHT and are Be Brave; Cultivate Relationship; Live with Intention; Practice Gratitude; Prioritize Health; Live your truth. In my 20+ years on my personal growth journey, I have found that these 6 pillars are the threads that weave the tapestry of a beautiful, purposeful and therefore BRIGHTer life
Photo: Bridget Belden
This month we are exploring what it means to live your truth. Sometimes, living your truth is pausing long enough to acknowledge and feel what is happening for you in that moment.
What I feel now is
Tender.
The tenderness in my soft, midlife belly
In my head throbbing
In my heart.
For the collective loss in this world.
The grief and the mourning,
Like a mother for her child
Grieving for what could have been
What still could be.
I feel tired
Of holding myself up
And out.
I feel profound gratitude for all that I have
My family
My husband
My kids
My friends
My beautiful home
This life we built
Of travel and love.
I feel guilt
Can I?
Should I?
Have all of this when so many are suffering?
I feel warm.
This linen shirt
In the perfect color brown
Tight across my shoulders
Chafing against my neck.
I feel sad and proud
For my son moving out and onward
The way it’s supposed to be.
And even though sometimes - most times - there were no words spoken - sometimes he wasn’t even in the same room - it felt good just knowing he was nearby.
I am grateful for that time with him
It was a gift.
I’ll miss him.
It doesn’t really matter what I should be -
Happy, grateful, connected, upbeat.
All that matters is what I am right now.
The discrepancy between the reality and the facade is where the pain lies;
Trying for and wishing it to be other than what it is.
This is living my truth in a different way.
Honoring myself enough to let it
Be what it is in this moment.