(And why it might benefit you to join me.) If you clicked through you may be bracing yourself for a “woe is me” story about disappointment and loss. But I wouldn’t do that to you on Christmas! What I want to share with you is simply that for me, this Christmas is not so much about giving – but about giving up.
As I look back over the last year, giving up has certainly been a dominant theme.For example, as some of you know, I gave up expecting my spouse to be someone he’s not, and I gave up trying to be someone I’m not. In doing so I also had to give up on the imagined ideal life I had been striving so hard to force into being. And I had to give up on always trying to make things look perfect on the surface. Nothing is ever as it seems.
Giving up is not easy, but there can be tremendous freedom in it. With each thing I released, I created space in my life for something new and wonderful to enter. Although my husband and I are going in different directions now, even our kids have remarked that we seem happier. By giving up on trying to fill myself up with external things, I realized that I already have everything I need within me. By letting go of blame and anger toward others (and myself) for the circumstances of my life, I recognized the power of making choices that are right for me. By giving up on expecting other people to take care of me emotionally, I discovered an internal strength and comfort I never knew was there. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
So this year, as Christmas approached, I was thinking about what I might ask for (and since in my house I do most of the Christmas shopping, that led me to ask what I might give to myself). And I realized that perfect gift was to give something else up. As I get ready to launch my coaching business, I’ve been dealing with some limiting beliefs around fear of failure or rejection. In the past I have let these fears hold me back and sabotage my success. But no more. There is too much I want to accomplish in 2011, too many people I want to help, and big plans and visions I want to bring into being.
So my Christmas gift to myself this year is giving up those limiting beliefs, giving up doubting my value, and trusting in the gifts I already possess… the ones that I was born with.It is said that giving is the same as receiving, and I’ve come to believe that the same is true for giving up. Had I not let go of so much in the last year, I know I would not be blessed with so much gratitude and joy this Christmas.
Is there something you might like to give up this Christmas to free you up for great things in 2011?
BEAUITFUL POST, MICHELLE!!! This is so perfectly and beautifully stated.I am grateful to know you, and to be among your friends!Thank you so much for sharing this. I am so happy for you creating the path you are on.Much love to you…Your friend snd Shelli
Excellent post Michelle. Isn’t it so much fun to grow and know how much we are going to be able to help others as we go deeper into ourselves? I look forward to sharing this coaching journey with you. I will be a better coach and better person by knowing you.With love and light, Marty