You Don’t Owe Every Version of Who You are Loyalty
We have a very, very quiet hinderance that seems to stunt our growth sometimes. Have you ever noticed it? Have you ever noticed anything like that? I know, you may not have any idea (other than from the title), but our decision to stay faithfully dedicated to who we used to be. No matter what, we somehow continue to defend things like our opinions and beliefs that we have outgrown. We hold on to habits that are no longer useful to our current positions within our lives. Further, we grip tightly to every identity we’ve ever held. I accept that fact that how we used to be may have fit the mold for where we were in certain points in our lives, but are we restricting ourselves. Those ideas and things in general we hold on to, ask yourself, “Are they still needed? Are they still right for us now?” Do we do it because it’s truly beneficial or is it because it’s just been a part of us for so long we don’t know OR are afraid to step out? It’s tough to shake something that has attached itself to us.
If you’ve read some of my content, you may know, I speak a lot about how difficult change is. It’s not a mystery. Many people recognize that fact and point it out. That’s true in many circumstances across all societies probably. But here, that’s only part of the issue. The bigger issue is whether or not we give ourselves permission to change. I’m like many people. Letting go of an old belief, old dreams, and the numerous ways we have lived that are too familiar to us feel like…. betrayal. That’s a scary word to me. Consider this: letting go of those old ways can serve in positive manners. Perhaps the best way to honor our past and everything we have learned up to this point is to thank “it” for its service to us and now allowing us to grow into something else, something more.
Awareness tells us that growth is not measured by how good we are at holding on to the past or past versions of ourselves. In truth, growth may be better defined by how willing we are to recognize when something no longer fits in our lives and then by our ability to simply let go.
Please know this, I don’t mean to encourage you to forget your past. Not that all. I know that who we are today are only a manifestation or a development of who we used to be. There is value there, good, bad, or indifferent. Some of the things I am encouraging you to let go of could very well have gotten you through some rough or dark times in your life. I accept that. Some others may have provided you with comfort. I accept that too. And for that reason, our past deserve a level of appreciation, but it may not have been designed to carry you into your next phase of life.
When I speak about a Kind Rebirth, it seeks to rebirth you with clarity and confidence. As I was growing up, even up until recently, I’ve always thought about what I needed to do to remain true to who I am and who I have always been. Maybe a more productive question should ask who I intend to become. Loyalty is commendable trait, but don’t forget to venerate the you that wants to keep growing and evolving.
Stay mindful…
Rebirth.
