For years I found myself trying to be accepted by my family, peers, and relationships.
It took me a long time to realize the only person I needed to accept was myself. I needed to learn how to be myself and love myself during every part of my journey. I had to start learning how to do me with a purpose. I realize my purpose change over the years. I change who I was for others and lost myself in the process.
During my process, I found myself complying and subscribing to believing my only purpose was to take care of others since I was the oldest in the family, becoming brainwashed by this belief. I deprived myself of my own purpose; in my life journey. Please do not misinterpret what am saying. Family is first! I will always be there for my family. I was just told what I could not do and achieve, when it came to my dreams and aspirations. I love my family with all my heart and soul. Am always going to take care of family, I just need to learn I could have both.
Then I spent the next couple of years kicking myself for not traveling and writing my book, starting my blog years ago, buying a new home, and having a healthy relationship, wasted time.
Forgiving myself for not placing myself first was a big step. I had to be comfortable with doing it without feeling guilty. Albert Einstein said,"
Imagination is more important than knowledge." I had to tap into my inner child to get my creativity back.
I am not going to be announcing am going to be doing it. This year completed one of my visions; January has been very productive.
It's my time to be me with a purpose!
What a gentle reminder to focus on being healthy and productive throughout our life's journey. However, coupled with this, we must also adjust, if you will, or be loyal to our family's legacy. Being the oldest or surviving family member comes with unspoken responsibility and admiration that ought to be taken with pride. If not, then our heritage as a family dies!
Being placed in this [not requested] role permits us to add a framework of the expectancy we need to flourish. Being secure within ourselves gives us the strength to prevail in this endeavor. To this end, is why I agree with your synopsis in terms of learning and adopting self-preservation. We can not lead if we don't grasp…