WE CARRY THINGS around with us in boxes. Things we think we need as we move from place to place, and sometimes
we never reopen them to unpack. Instead, we ignore them and continue to store them away.

We do the same to ourselves inside – collecting and grasping at things that we should release because they hold us back from being free and entirely ourselves.

When we open the boxes and clear them out, we face ourselves and release space both in our homes and lives.

What do you want to release from your life to be free, whole, happy?

It takes a brave heart to open the boxes, clear out closets, pull out drawers, and dig around inside of your mind and heart – greeting all kinds of memories, ghosts, emotions, doubts, fears, successes, regrets, joys, heartbreak, loss, gratitude, love.

Generously examining ourselves helps us know who we are and what we want, to smile and be less a self stranger,
becoming the integrity we hope to be.

Remove what blocks you and keep what has value to trust yourself and other people – welcoming self-kindness –
changing fear into compassion to live the life you dream of and deserve.

You can release your self in meditation and exercise – therapy – coaching – speaking heart to heart with friends – falling apart and having a good, long cry to create positive change.

I’m reminded of this beautiful poem by Derek Walcott – Love After Love –

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Thanks – Michael (he, him)

Please share this Daily with your tribes.
This also matters – Knowing Your True Self.

#789