Dear Hillary

The poet e.e. cummings wrote, "It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."

Honor yourself

How would you finish this sentence: "I am a ________." 

What popped into your mind? 

• Your job title or profession;
• your role in life (wife, brother, child);
• your physical characteristics (thin person, fat person);
• your hobbies (birder, swimmer);
• your beliefs (Christian, Bhuddist).

You are all these things together and more, because the sum of the total is more than the parts. Labels can be negative or positive and therefore do either damage or good.

In terms of your career, you are a person that works for a living.  But you do not have to dislike what you do: challenge yourself to do what you love most.  Begin honoring the interior parts of you that know exactly what that is, and you will find yourself living a happier and more creative life.

How do you find that voice in the face of the myriad distractions of modern life?

1. Learn to be still, even if it's only 5 minutes a day.
2. Let go of those labels, and recognize they are in constant flux, depending on what you are doing right now. YOU are not the label you have given yourself.
3. Reconnect to the things you love to do, whether it's writing or working out.  Do what Julie Cameron refers to as "refilling the well" of your deepest contented self.
4. Clear the clutter, whether it is physical or emotional.  Throw away things that are not useful, let go of unhealthy relationships.  Easier said than done, but stillness can provide clarity.
5. Practice gratitude attitude daily, for whatever parts of your life are working well.

If you do these things, you will help yourself remember who you really are, and grow into the person you are meant to be.