Stay Within Myself

A few days ago I received a comment from a dear friend.  Her words always matter to me.  For one, I know she has my best interests at heart.  It was just a light hearted comment to a post I wrote the other day but one part stuck the most:

"Enjoy the beautiful weather and stay within yourself with your goals.."

Stay Within Yourself.  

These three words stopped me...they grabbed my attention. I didn't know quite what they meant exactly but I knew I liked how they sat with me.  I tried them on in different ways. Let them roll around in this head of mine while I chewed them over.  And by the end of the day, they felt so right and resonated with me in a way that I haven't felt for some time.

Stay Within Myself.

Yes!!

As I find myself in a sort of transition here after Boston and in my last two months in Asheville, I have all sorts of renewed inspiration and passion.  I have goals and ideas.  A hunger for some new possibilities.  And most importantly, a sense of self that I've been missing. Not that I've entirely lost myself.  I just think I've been a little out of touch with ME for some time.  Sometimes only one step away and sometimes so far away that it seems I've forgotten who I am.  I've been outside of myself.  Distant.  Blurry.  Perhaps a little lost.

When I mentioned to my husband that my biggest intention for myself right now was to Stay Within Myself, he really didn't understand what I meant.  And that's okay but I really wanted him to know what I meant because of how strongly it makes sense to me.  I wanted to be able to explain it in a way that he would understand me.  This is part of processing for me and letting truth sink in.

If you were to think of the times in your life when you are the strongest...the most alive...energized...influential...passionate, what does that look like for you?  For me, when I reflect on the times I've been in these places of passion, energy, confidence and living my truth, I feel so much possibility.  I see myself as being capable, bold, and courageous in my moments and life choices.  And I am always....

Within Myself.

Quietly confident.
Taking time to reflect on my heart and write down my goals and dreams.
Taking time with just myself to do what I love.
Not comparing myself to others.
Not going faster than I'm ready for.
Shutting out negative voices and people.
Choosing my friends wisely and being the kind of friend I want for myself.
Living my own life and setting my own goals.
Believing in my capabilities and truly trusting that anything is possible.
Not needing others to tell me what I can and cannot do.
Taking risks.

The more I live with these words that ring such truth to me:  Stay Within Myself, the more they energize me.  On my run tonight, the miles flowed so easily and felt so wonderful.  I thought much about my short and long term goals and how every single one of them feel so within my grasp...if I can keep myself right here where I am.  Within Myself.  Centered.  I see this play out in so many ways.  Marathon running is one example.  When we stay within ourselves, listen to our bodies, and not go faster than we are ready for, we find strength to finish strong.  If we trust in ourselves and stay where is just right for us...when we stay within ourselves to know when we can take risks and be bold without letting fear stop us...when we are truly running within ourselves...THIS is when we have our best races!!

Stay Within Myself is most definitely my mantra as I make my way through the next few months of transition and climbing. This means being where I am.  Staying centered.  Trusting in myself enough to take risks and move forward...all it takes is that first step and opening that first door for a whole world to open to us. But also knowing when to be still. These words ultimately mean that I'm the one in control of making things happen for my life.  I'm the one that drives ME.  As a mother, wife, runner, learner, professional...in all ways.  By staying within myself I am knowing myself.  I'm focused.  I'm living my life without comparison.  Staying within myself means that I'm staying energized so that I can move forward one step at a time...as I'm ready.  Instead of looking too far ahead of myself and the future, I'm living for today and taking the puzzle one piece at a time.

So, yes!  Yes, I will stay within myself.  And by staying within myself, I will have the strength and confidence to move forward like never before.  Just by being me.

Amanda

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