“You can keep as quiet as you like, but one of these days somebody is going to find you.” ― Haruki Murakami
Quora Question: What are you hiding from the world?
I am a planner person. I love the washi tape and stickers and all that crafty, creativity stuff! I used to run an Esty shop and sell my items at craft shows, so when I sit down to work on my planner, I usually have it all laid out on the living room floor. Recently, when I had all my crafting stuff out to update my planner and my husband was upstairs, I could hear him getting ready to come downstairs and my first reaction was to gather up all my things. As I started to, the first thought that popped in my head was “stop hiding.”
Ask yourself… what are you hiding from the world?
I can’t speak for others, but as a child of an alcoholic parent and a young girl who grew up in an area where there weren’t many others who looked like me, you try not to bring attention to yourself. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I realized my opinions and feelings mattered. I didn’t learn anything about self-care until I was in my forties. That’s a long time to stay in a hiding place.
As I continue to come out of my hiding space, I am learning more about who I am and what I want, and I encourage you to come out of your hiding place too!
Our “wounds have wisdom” as Oprah Winfrey often says. What I am learning along this journey is our experiences can be lessons for us and blessing for others. Here are some practices that have helped me thus far:
- Meditation. I sign up for the free meditation programs that Deepak Chopra offers. You can also search YouTube for guided meditation practices if this of interest to you. I like the guided meditations in the beginning because they helped me stay focused.
- Reading. Anything you are interested in learning is available in a book, an eBook, or an audiobook. Reading helped me to realize, I am not alone. Many of the personal struggles we are dealing with, have been encountered by others who chose to share how they overcame and can be a source of inspiration for you.
- Walking or Exercise. Getting up and moving is a great way to shift your energy. I say it helps to get the “gunk” out of our system. It’s like taking your car our on the highway and opening it up.
- Join a group. There are several great groups that you can connect with in-person as well and virtually.
- Journal. I started journaling years ago, but I never stayed consistent. What I found that can help is keeping the journal in my sights. If I see it, I am reminded to pick it up and write.
- Blog. Share your story with others. You may hold the key to unlocking someone else’s breakthrough.
- Have Grace with Yourself. Your life is a marathon not a sprint. Take time to sit and get to know who you are. You are worth it!
Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/hiding
Thank you for taking time out to read this post. I would love to learn more about who you are and what you do. Feel free to connect with me through a Meetup group.
- Confident Strides Women’s Empowerment Network https://bit.ly/CSWENMeetup
- Confident Strides Personal Development Network Group https://bit.ly/CSPDNMeetup
- Confident Strides Women’s Professional Network https://bit.ly/CSWPNMeetup
- Confident Strides Entrepreneurs Network https://bit.ly/CSENMeetup
To connect with me: https:///confidentstrides
I was never much into cooking and I still not, but I am a little bit more willing to look for new recipe ideas to try. There are so many websites that offer you recipes and tips that there really is no need to have a cookbook any more. You can create your own.
Instead of hiding from the Jehovah’s Witness that started coming to my home a few weeks ago, I invited the two women in to discuss “The Good News”. It’s been an amazing learning experience not in the sense of religion or spirituality but as in learning who I have become over the past few years. I think the Bible study sessions have become a form of checks and balances in my beliefs. As for me, I have no desire to convert but I enjoy discussing a hot button topic and do not feel diminished when we do not come to the same conclusion. I know in order for anyone to grow and expand into the best version of themselves, one must not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone. I must admit, I don’t know why or how long we will continue to meet, but I do know that what ever is happening is only for my good, and that’s great news.
Your greatest gift is your adaptability. When you can learn to let go of your need to control, life opens up and flows. I am still a work in progress, but I am not so hell bent on having things go “my way”. Life has become more enjoyable and my relationships have significantly improved. I no longer feel as if I have to defend my opinions but rather expand my sense of understanding. Each and every one of us were created with a purpose that this world so desperately needs. As Zig Ziglar so eloquently stated: Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. Know that you are not diminished by anyone else’s opinion.
When you do what you love and love what you are doing with a sense of style and confidence, you are creating a legacy that separates your from the rest. No one can do things the way you do so don’t be afraid the let your style shine through. To be authentic is to be yourself.
I learned to celebrate the victories no matter the size. It is the little victories along the way that provide the motivation to keep going. Yesterday, I reached 50 likes on this blog site. When I started, I could not even come up with a steady topic to write about. I know that every little victory is leading to a big win. The hardest part is just to start!
I used to argue, fuss and fight to voice my opinion. Those days are long gone. People are quick to offer up opinions based on what “they” believe. For example, if someone says that something you want to do is “impossible” it is based on the opinion that it is impossible for “them”. Realizing this, instead of arguing, I allow folks to “keep” their opinion and I go about with my own. I just say “watch me!”
In life, the most precious gift we have been given is time so don’t waste it on contemplating what your “not” good at. Take time and take an inventory list of all the things you are good at. What make you you. Once you have your list, keep it handy. Life starts to open up when we play to our strengths, rather than your weaknesses.
In one of the books I read, it stated that we can not connect the dots unless we look back. Looking back is good once in a while, but your future is in front of you. Learn to reconcile and appreciate all of the events in your past because they have made you the person you are today. That means the choices you make today, will lead you to the person you wish to become tomorrow. How cool is that? You can become the master of your fate and the captain of your soul!
I have learned to enjoy myself at networking events once I focused on making connections rather than making sales. Most of the time, people are not there to buy because each of us have our own agendas in mind. Make the most of the connections and wherever you are, act like you belong there. Make your presence be known. Your energy alone will cause people to take notice.
Sweet N Social 
