We are not defined by the illusions others create about us.
We are defined by our capacity for self-awareness, our willingness to grow, our ability to love and to be loved, and our authenticity.
Love, Wendy
Tag: spirituality
Who we are – Love, Wendy
We can’t stop others from their own interpretation, but we never internalize their experience of who we are.
Their inaccuracies and limited understanding and beliefs of themselves project onto what they believe and what they think they observe.
Most importantly, it is their own lack of self worth and lived experiences, combined with fear of uncertainty that confines them to live with an illusion of “control and certainty.”
They cling to narratives that offer them comfort, even if those narratives are distorted born from their own insecurities and fears. These are merely reflections of their own inner world, not the heart and soul of who we are.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
Living in my truth – Love, Wendy
Live your life in your truth confidently, and with conviction. Take the time to explore who you are, and even when your circumstances change around you, continue to be that person. Continue to stand firmly in your truth…your power, regardless of the circumstances or opinions.
This is the inner work that guides you, and builds character, strength and self awareness. It leads to healthy living through choosing healthy practices and loving relationships.
When we are rooted in self-discovery and personal growth, and we recognize the positive ripple effect it can have on others, we create a space of empowerment…
For everyone.
My reflection:
Being on my own for so many years has given me the opportunity, time after time, for self discovery and exploration.
And just when I think I “get it,” I am given another opportunity to go deeper and to learn even more.
Being a lifelong spiritual student is not for the faint hearted. However, it creates such a deep sense of self and connection to Spirit that builds resilience.
When I look back on my 12+ years of recovery from substance use disorder and mental health disorders, and I recognize where I am in the present moment and how I arrived here, I am in awe of how I have embraced the lessons and have empowered myself to become the woman, mom, grandmother, and friend who I admire, who I depend upon, solely, and most importantly, who I love.
There have been so many times where I became so filled with anxiety and felt hopeless, but when I pause and reflect, it reminds me of the many times before that one where I felt the same way and used my knowledge and experiences to help me take another step forward.
I speak up. I advocate for myself. I live my life as me, for me.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
“Carry Quietly” – Love, Wendy
Recently, the famous saying, “There are none so blind who will not see,” has pierced my heart. It has become very personal.
And so as I typically do, I asked a question of the angels as to how I will move forward with this information, and they answered me through music. A song entitled, “Carry Quietly” began to play on my Pandora station immediately upon posing my question.
I take it to mean to hold that relationship with love, not to challenge what I observe, to simply practice acceptance without judgement, and to “carry it quietly,” as “there are none so blind who will not see.”
Love can still shine through the cracks of our differences, illuminating the genuineness of the human condition.
By embracing acceptance, we cradle the beauty of imperfection, allowing compassion to blossom even in the face of ignorance.
And perhaps at another time, we plant another seed.
It’s in this quiet carrying that we find strength—not in force, but in gentle resilience, nurturing connections that remind us we are all part of a larger tapestry, woven together by shared experiences and emotions.
Perhaps we can even find a lesson of a deeper understanding of the human condition creating a deeper connection to Spirit, to ourselves, and to others as we “carry it quietly.”
Love, Wendy
Normalize Making Mistakes – Love, Wendy
Let us normalize making mistakes.
We all make our wisest decisions with the knowledge that we have based on life experiences at any given time.
As we evolve, we have the opportunity to embrace new wisdom and perspectives.
Embracing this process allows us to be more compassionate toward ourselves and others.
Forgive yourself and use your experiences to fuel your growth, transforming challenges into lessons that guide you toward a more enlightened path.
The Devil is in the Details – Love, Wendy
Being gracious is a spiritual practice.
Being morally complicit in unbound corruption, purposeful deceit and a complete lack of connection to the human condition is the epitome of evil.
“The devil is in the details.”
Love,
Wendy
Prayer and Faith – Love, Wendy
I need not subscribe to anyone else’s idea of how “to pray” or what “to believe”.
My individual spiritual practice has been my primary source of inspiration and motivation on my journey of recovery. It continues to deepen my faith. It works for me.
God saved my life nearly 12 years ago from a life threatening brain disease known as SUD. (Substance Use Disorder).
He has provided me profound life lessons where I have learned to become more self aware, self regulated, self sufficient, and to grow more empathy of social awareness in my interaction with others.
Spirit has taught me that prayer, self care, love and kindness are the keys to connection, happiness, inner peace, and abundance…a life where I seek a spiritual answer that unfolds organically rather than reacting in an escalated moment of fear, frustration or disappointment.
Prayer and faith is subjective and personal.
And a spiritual connection is one’s ability to “intuitively understand something that impacts our soul and gives meaning to our lives”, and recognizing a strong connection to something bigger than oneself.
Pray, in whatever way you connect to God, the Universe, Spirit, or Nature. In this authentic space, you will be lovingly guided, and you will hear the answers. Each spiritual connection is unique. And, be open to a new perspective that teaches us to understand and to respond through a wider lens.
It is through this wider lens that I have learned, grown and continue to evolve. And, I repeatedly step into the space of a wider lens daily as each new day brings its own puzzle of pieces that need to be interlocked in a way that makes sense for me to feel spiritually, physically, and mentally connected.
Love and blessings,
Wendy
We have got to do better – Love, Wendy
We’ve got to do better.
We’ve got to take notice of those we engage with, but really stop to ask, “How are you doing?” And it is NOT okay to allow someone else to walk into the conversation and begin a new conversation in the middle of a “check in.” And when we ask another how they are doing, we must be ready and willing to hear an authentic response. If you are just giving a nod of “I see you standing there, how are you?” and you don’t want to actually hear a response, just say “good morning,” and keep moving. Seriously.
We’ve got to do better.
I encounter this daily. Jarring. And if one allows this interruption of a “check in,” especially when they are aware of another’s circumstances, cross them off of your list as a “caring friend/acquaintance/colleague.” If they never ask, “How are you?” in the midst of a challenging time, it speaks volumes about them and their capacity to comfort and to support others. Yet, I witness these same people “vomiting” out all of their woes and expecting one’s undivided attention.
We’ve got to do better.
When I observe others who claim friendship, I assess if that definition aligns with what I believe friendship to be, and what I need in a friend. Reciprocity. Consistency. Empathy. Kindness. “Time sensitive.” Joy. Love. Willing to share.
Giving of one’s time with eye contact, and a touch on the hand or hug can make one’s day. It costs us nothing, but if we feel the price is too high and we are too “busy” in our own head and circumstances, and there is no follow up, you are not a friend.
Friendship is linear. It doesn’t come in waves and only on the upswing.
We’ve got to do better.
And even when we see a stranger pass us by on our daily walk looking down at the ground very obviously in pain, we need to offer a smile. Oh, the smile is so contagious. It has helped me on a number of occasions. And I always reciprocate all that I am given. And give to one in pain when they cannot offer us anything. It is a basic need of the human condition. If you’ve got it, give it away.
One who professes to love us does not allow months to go by without checking in. You cannot “offer a good deed…one and done,” and then fly off of the radar for no apparent reason. We see you living your best life, and yet, not one minute to send a text or an hour to visit to do a friends “check-in.” It negates the “one and done “Good deed.”
Good deed? Not so much. Not from a place of love. This is from a place of “let me boast all over social media what I am doing (one and done) to further fuel my ego. But those of us on the “receiving end” of that “deed” sit awestruck and dumbfounded at one’s need to “be loved and recognized” as a hero.
Not so much. Ego. Ego. Ego.
We’ve got to do better.
So starting today, let us do better. Either engage with meaning, purpose, and friendship, or simply walk on by. It can be an insult to one’s intelligence and feelings to enter into a “drive-by” friendship. Stay in your own lane, or join me on the journey.
We have GOT to do better.
Love,
Wendy
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