Searching

What if all of the searching led you right back to yourself?

I have been on a journey of searching since I can remember. I always thought I was driven by an innocent longing to make the days that I live feel full in every way possible - a need to see the world, connect deeply with people along the way, and do and try everything I can. 

What I’ve realized is that while my desire to live fully is genuine, the root of my desire has stemmed from a place of lacking. It’s as if I’ve had this will to thrive and grow yet my grounding was bottomless, never allowing me to steadily fill up with satisfaction with what I have experienced along the way.

Rather than embracing and enjoying life as it was happening, I was often left feeling empty, unaccomplished, and longing for more. Be it perfectionism or exceedingly high expectations, I was setting myself up for an unquenchable thirst for experience.

The deeper I dug, the more I realized the search brought me right back to myself and a need to feel enough. My longing for more could never be fulfilled without feeling satisfied with myself in the present. Instead of focusing constantly on what my next step could be or should be, I began to take note of the value of the living I had already been fortunate enough to experience along the way.

Now when I take time to pause with intention, I am able to acknowledge all that is and all that has been in my life. From the good and enjoyable to the challenging and trying. All of which I know have shaped me uniquely into - Me.

I reflect on my journey through thousands of miles across the world and back, the beautiful places I have explored, and the amazing people who have accompanied me along the way - either through moments of brief connection or in more meaningful and impactful ways that have shaped and shifted my perspective of myself and of life.

With this shift I find myself feeling fuller, satisfied, and more content. I feel clearer about the way I want to experience living. My desire to explore the world and connect with people continues but with more appreciation of where I’ve been and appreciation of myself for who I am in the passing moments.

Ways to Ground & Experience Contentment:

Allow yourself the gift of enjoying positive experiences as they are happening. If it’s difficult to calm your mind in the moment, sit tall and breathe deeply through the discomfort. Take space to pause and when you’re ready, return to the moment again.

Remember the goals you are setting for yourself and why you are setting them. What will accomplishing these things do for you and your experience of living?

Acknowledge your path to discovery as you journey along it. Pause along the way to reflect on your evolution. Pause to feel full. Pause to feel enough.

Words to focus on: 

I am enough as I am.