Surround Yourself With Love

With so much hate and general unrest around us right now, I figured it was a good time to address the importance of who you choose to have and keep in your circle.

My family has always been my biggest support network. When I was disabled in a car accident in my early teens, my parents taught me not to let anything stand in my way. They gave me strength and confidence to grow into the woman I am today. My brother and sister still looked at me like their bossy older sister. My inner circle of friends never made me feel like I was and different even though I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Without that solid base, I don't know if I would've met my husband of twenty years who has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and supported me along the way. He, and now our two sons, never look at me like I’m weak or different and always expect me to give at least one hundred percent. 

Through the eyes of those around me, I am capable of anything. I use their vision to help achieve my goals every day. Even more so on the days when I don’t have the strength to do it myself.

Not everyone is that lucky.

The more people I meet, the more I learned that we don’t all have the opportunity to be raised in a loving and supportive environment. What I have also found is that many of those who weren’t, have been able to find their own path, stop repeating the same cycle of behavior and move forward in their quest for happiness.

They may also attribute that to those they found along the way. 

Sometimes we become accustomed to certain behaviors and ways of life. We don’t even realize there is something wrong with the way we’re being treated until we see something different. There are also people who will treat you a certain way because that’s what they’re used to and they might not even realize how destructive or wrong it is.

Toxic people are those around you who kind of just suck the life out of you. They can be exhausting to spend time with and many times expect a lot from you and offer nothing in return.

Unfortunately, we all encounter these people in our lives. Some are family, some are friends, some mean no harm, and some most certainly do. It is our job as individuals to decide who gets to take up space and time in our lives. This decision is so important and will have a huge impact on our well being, success, and general emotional state. 

In my thirties I learned to say ‘no’. I learned to let go of people who caused me unnecessary stress or to believe my worth was any less than theirs. I was fortunate to have a solid foundation of relationships in my past that gave me the knowledge and strength to do that. As difficult as it can be, trusting your gut is never a bad idea. 

It’s not about surrounding yourself with people who think and act like you, it’s about mutual respect and trust. It’s okay to disagree with those in your inner circle. It’s fine to have different views and beliefs. Surround yourself with those who allow you to be honest and open without judgement - and they should expect the same from you.

At the end of the day, it’s about who makes you feel like your best self. It’s about who makes you smile. It’s about those who cheer for you on your best day even when they’re having their worst. 

Find those people. Hold them close and always be that same person for them.

#chooselove #family #friends #relationshipgoals #spinalcordinjury #happiness