Finding Freedom

Even though I had a birthday more than six months ago, I believe I'm hitting a reflective period as though it was just yesterday.

If you're like me when your birthday comes along you tend to reflect, evaluate, and move forward with what you've learned by applying it from a fresh perspective.

So, where has my reflecting and evaluating got me?

Let me start with some reflective questions...

Have you ever felt imprisoned by a restricted sense of who you're supposed to be, or better yet, who others expect you to be?

I have.

Have you ever woke up one day and thought, What have I been doing staying committed to certain relationships when all I feel is disappointed, judged, or stressed out by these relationships?

I have.

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you feel like you don't recognize who you are because you don't surround yourself with the people, places, and practices you once did?

I currently have.

These are definitely things I'm pondering, and thankfully have reached some conclusions that have led me to a new found freedom.

This freedom consists of several things <3

1. We can't please everyone, ESPECIALLY when they have unreasonable expectations within the relationship.

2. Being selfish (or self-serving) is sometimes necessary and is often healthier than the alternative.

3. Friendship often leads to heartache when faced with choosing between your values and the friend's.

4. It takes great courage to face reality, and even more to move in a new direction when that reality is toxic.

5. Holding back emotional support, verbal affirmation of any kind, or a mutual regard for a loved one is damaging to the other individual, not to mention the relationship over time.

6. Life is far less complicated with fewer friends, as opposed to an army.

How have these new found epiphanies brought me freedom?

✔️ I am less stressed.

✔️ I check my phone less (when you struggle with anxiety this is a huge victory).

✔️I have much more peace, externally and internally.

✔️I feel far less condemnation or shame, and much more self-compassion.

✔️I feel less anger towards others when they let me down, and even more compassion for them than I have in the past.

✔️I deal with disappointments with more ease (or at least arrive at a state of acceptance much, much quicker than before).

✔️ Finally, I have more space in my life to live it genuinely--how I want to live it.

I continue to make more room for the things I long to do with my time, and manage my time more genuinely and unapologetically.

With God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, all these things are possible. Without Him, I couldn't have found this freedom.

I pray that everyone who reads this post too, will find the freedom you desire. Seek Him, and you won't be left disappointed -- well, as long as you're willing to wait on His timing that is! Lol

Ah, patience IS a virtue.

Setting boundaries with myself and others,

Maribeth🕊️🙌