I was having a conversation with a dear friend this week when I found myself overwhelmed with emotions. Sadness, regret, and disappointment. The tears took me by surprise.., and so did the accompanying awareness.
I realized in that moment that so much of the personal and spiritual growth work I have done over the years has been about letting things go. Releasing old behaviors. Getting rid of old beliefs and biases. Clearing out the parts of me that were no longer aligned with where I saw myself going. Who I thought I was becoming.
I took pride in ridding myself of the old and outdated aspects of myself, that going forward, I was sure I would never need again.
Who knows how or why this particular conversation was such a strong catalyst for a new awareness. Who knows why it triggered a range of emotions that would make it almost impossible for me to speak. But in that instant I knew I had been betraying and shaming myself for being who I was… who I am.
I had this flash of knowing that it was time to call back all aspects of my past. To embrace the younger versions of me that didn’t know the answers; who struggled with identity; who made choices or decisions with limited or incomplete knowledge; who pretended to be someone or something they weren’t.
I had banished them to a place where I would not have to look at them again. Where who I was, who I am, and who I am becoming could live autonomously from one another. I took the powerful work of releasing those things that were not in alignment with where I wanted to be, and made those aspects of myself wrong.., bad.., and undeserving.
I cast them out, so I wouldn’t have to look at them any more. So that only beauty exists in the evolved new life I have worked to create for myself!
Yet this week, I knew I had to call all of those energies and aspects of myself back. To not only absorb them into my being…, but to love them as well. To remove the labels of flaw, mistake, not enough, foolish, deceitful, weak, misguided, etc, etc. To recognize them for the important contributions they have made to make me who I am.
It was never about casting them out or erasing them from my past. But the part of me who wanted to get “evolving” right, didn’t know what else to do. It was easier to try and eliminate them, then it was to integrate them. It was easier to pretend they didn’t exist.
This week I know better. I know how important it is to embrace all of me. Who I am and who I have been. There are no bad parts. There is nothing I can’t acknowledge, accept and embrace. In fact., now that I recognize this.., I feel so much compassion and love for these younger versions. Their resourcefulness and adaptability. The ability to respond to all that life throws at us., with the level of knowledge or awareness that we have at any given time.
It has all been perfect. There is nothing I would change. There is not an aspect of myself that is unloved. In fact, there is a sense of wholeness now, that has been missing for a long time.
And what perfect timing! As I head off to my next adventure… I take ALL aspects of myself with me! I leave feeling whole!
Thank You for being with me over these past nine years. Allowing me to share the ups and downs, accomplishments and stumbles, lessons and awareness, that have come my way. I know we often have conversations about how we seem to have a parallel process or our own version of each other’s experience. Sharing it in this form has been a real gift for me!
Starting next week, Victoria Barna will be the one writing these newsletters. At least for the next 3 months. Please know I will be thinking of you… and look forward to reconnecting in September! I just realized, I am bookending my adventure with two holidays! From Memorial Day to Labor Day! How fun is that!
Have an AWESOME summer!
With Light, Love, and Laughter
Charles
Safe travels, wonderful adventures, as you explore and discover more aspects of who are, all the while, silently listening to divine guidance that is leading you in a new direction. Happy Summer!
Thank You Linda!
❤️❤️❤️ this.
Thanks Jen!
Chuck how I will miss your weekly wisdom. Go with peace and an open heart, many blessings go with you💗
Thanks Mary!
Wishing you a safe journey and fun adventures!!
Thank you Eudora!
Beautiful realization! Beautiful YOU! Thanks for always sharing your thoughts and journey. xoxo
Thanks Liza!
Wishing you continuing awareness of all the deeply heartfelt appreciation for you, Charles; for your sharing(s), and for Storm Wisdom and its many wonderful teachers (like your speakers, your staff, AND YOU!). — Your willingness to be so real makes it easier for the rest of us to own, equally wholeheartedly, the parts of ourselves we’ve been hiding under our own front door mats. LOVE to you and yours, and a BONNIE VOYAGE!
Thank you Dana… that means a lot!
This brought tears to my eyes. This is so beautiful Charles! You are so inspiring and insightful. I’m going to miss you while you’re gone and can’t wait to catch up when you come back! Have a wonderful trip my friend. Love and blessings to you on this new adventure. You’re such an inspiration ♥ Denise
Thank you Denise…I will miss seeing you too! To the Fall!
THE.MOST.BEAUTIFUL…… what a tremendous piece of writing, what a masterpiece you are!!!! 💖
Thanks Gail… you know that means a lot to me!
Charles; I will miss you this summer but am knowing it will be a glorious immersion for you. Love and blessings, Suzanne Gildersleeve
Thank you Suzanne!
Enjoy your new Adventure!
Thank you Sharon!
Charles, beautiful expression of what it’s like to be whole…accepting all parts of self. Thank you! May this adventure be deeply satisfying to every aspect of you – the young, old and in-between.
Thanks Mary for the kind words… and the inspiration for this post!