| For a great part of my adult life, I felt like I was | | | | Striving for perfection was exhausting! I learned |
| searching to fill a void. The emptiness seemed to be | | | | perfectionism is about having to be in control of |
| unfounded because I had so much: a successful | | | | outcomes. How liberating to now know that, the only |
| career as a professional educator, a beautiful home, a | | | | thing I can control is my reaction to people and events. |
| wonderful husband and daughter, and fantastic friends. | | | | Now I give myself permission to be excellent not |
| The list sounds like a recipe for contentment, but | | | | perfect. |
| something was missing. | | | | 3. Learn to receive: In my many roles, I was always |
| As a young woman, I used to be somewhat of a | | | | giving my time, my energy, whatever was needed. |
| renegade as a means of expressing my individuality; | | | | After all, it’s better to give than to receive right? I |
| having a true sense of belonging was elusive. Could | | | | enjoyed giving but rarely allowed myself to receive, |
| this be the cause or the effect of the void that I felt? I | | | | and at times found myself overwhelmed and resentful. |
| searched for answers for years before realizing my | | | | Being open to receive is a reflection of being worthy. |
| outward search was misguided. What I was looking | | | | Receiving is a form of giving that goes beyond the |
| for, my power and peace, was already inside of me. | | | | exchange of tangible items and attracts many |
| This realization set me on an interesting and rewarding | | | | intangible blessings into my life. |
| path of self-transformation, leading me to where I am | | | | 4. Create balance of mind, body, and spirit: Finding time |
| now - a successful entrepreneur who is more at ease | | | | for me used to seem impossible. Once I made myself |
| with myself. | | | | a priority (without guilt), it became easier to schedule |
| Hopefully, some of what I learned will help you on your | | | | ‘me time’. I use my time for introspection and to |
| entrepreneurial and self-discovery journey: | | | | clarify what is important to me. I honor my physical |
| 1. Engage in Personal Development: The road to | | | | body through detoxification, balanced nutrition, exercise |
| personal development is paved with many beneficial | | | | and rest. Massages, meditations, prayer, music and |
| tools; choose activities that resonate with you. I have | | | | dance are other tools in my toolbox. And where would |
| experienced positive shifts in my thinking by reading | | | | balance be without including fun and laughter? |
| and watching and listening to materials that inspire and | | | | Satisfying my restless spirit is a journey. Along this |
| educate. I remain open to beliefs and opinions that help | | | | path I have learned that life’s challenges are meant |
| me expand my vision without judging, giving me the | | | | to teach me valuable lessons. By being open to |
| opportunity to learn and experience from different | | | | receive, people and events come into my life to |
| points of view. I attend seminars and workshops that | | | | facilitate my personal and spiritual growth. |
| assist me in clarifying my vision and give me the | | | | I can truly say that I’m now more comfortable with |
| opportunity to associate with people whom I admire. | | | | myself. I’m adaptable, but who I am, my content, |
| These events help create momentum in my life and | | | | does not change based on the context. I seek to be |
| have served as a catalyst for some of the friendships | | | | of service to myself and to others. |
| and true sense of community I now enjoy. | | | | Allow your restless spirit to find a home! Go to the |
| 2. Say goodbye to perfectionism: It used to be that | | | | calendar and schedule time for yourself now begin |
| everything had to be perfect; I thought that perfect | | | | your journey within. |
| was the yardstick by which to measure myself. | | | | |