Lights, Camera, Caption

I had intended to post on here the same day that I had posted on my personal IG account, but that clearly did not happen, so here we are!

Our intent can be incredibly different from our impact. I spend a lot of time reading (and thinking) about the power of our words. 

From a professional standpoint, whether I’m putting on a mic, hopping on a Zoom, sending an email or having a conversation with someone, it’s nearly impossible to know how the other person (or people) are going to interpret my words.

We all have different life experiences, perceptions, preferences, backgrounds, belief systems, thoughts and values. 

What could have a positive impact on one person, or seen as motivating and inspiring, could negatively impact someone else as the words may have an entirely different meaning for them. 

Well-meaning compliments, comments and questions may take just seconds to say, but the person on the receiving end may hold on to them for days, weeks or even years.

Often times, even for the people that we think we know very well, we only know bits and pieces of their story. 

The roller coaster ride that we’ve been on for the past two years, has presented all sorts of discomfort, disconnectedness and awkwardness. I often find myself being hyper aware of almost relearning how to interact with people in person, which is something that used to come far more natural. 

Through all the fumbling I try to find moments to pause, give grace, admit fault and remain open to growth and change to continue to propel myself onward and upward.

Do you ever have moments when you’re driving or working out where you’re like give me a pen and paper right now I need to write this down?

Afterwards, those seemingly magical thoughts don’t come out nearly as wonderful at they seemed when they entered your mind? 

One thing that we can count on to remain constant is change. If we’re not open to change, then we’re often more likely to not feel satisfied…even when the change can seem to be accompanied by discomfort and uncertainty rather than progression and joy. 

Even when we embrace change, we often forget that how, or the rate in which, others are going to change looks far different than our own experiences. 

There’s very little that can be controlled, but I’m working towards controlling how I respond, react and show up. What will I allow in and how can I avoid giving too much of myself? 

We’ve only got so much time in a day and so much of ourselves that we can give. 

If we find ourselves getting frustrated with other people, it’s often that we are actually frustrated with ourselves – for not setting boundaries, for not asking for help, for not having the conversation with the person. Having an endless internal dialogue doesn’t get us where we want to be.

I’ve been focusing more on not comparing myself to others, but possibly more important, not comparing myself to past versions of myself. Each chapter looks different and all of the internal and external factors contribute to why I was … who I am .. and who I will become. 

What I might have been “ok” or not ok with in the past, may not be where I am at now…. and THAT is ok.

Limiting the comparison, but somehow simultaneously being conscious of the progress and growth.

Knowing that I need to show up for myself, so I can better show up for everyone else without having to compromise my physical and mental well being.

Right after class, I pressed play on a podcast that I was listening to, and America Ferrera happened to mention some of the best advice she was ever given, and it was to “learn how to allocate the resource of you.”

Thanks for your timing, universe. ✨