“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”  Barack Obama

Interesting day today.  I flew to the SF Bay Area this morning.  My daughter is flying to Denver on Sunday for five days for business.  Of course, I volunteered my services to take care of 16 month old Ella.  Well, actually I had the flight booked before my daughter finished telling me she was having to go on the business trip!  

I arrived at the airport two hours ahead of my flight – a bit early but I like to be early rather than late.  This allowed me the opportunity to have higher priority seating so I was able to get my favored window seat.  I ended up with a seat mate who was in her mid to late 40’s and heading to the SF Bay Area for her Mother’s 80th birthday celebration.  However, she has family dynamics that had her quite nervous and anxious about the week long event and family interactions.  We quickly realized that we each have similar stories about growing up “invisible” and with the expectation that we take care of everyone except ourselves.  Our “self” had no value.  I finally realized about 15 years ago that I did have value, it was ok for me to nurture “self”.  She is just going through that “awakening” now.  We spent the entire two hour flight talking about accountability, and how I believe that we each are the source of our own experience in life – be it good or bad.  I have choice in everything I do, say, believe.  I have choice in how I want to put myself out there, and how I react and interact with others.  I also have choice in whomever I want to include in my sphere of influence.  I choose to set boundaries with people that I feel are toxic.  I want to include people in my life who are like minded and support me and accept me for who I am.  This gal was really struggling with all these issues, and had created a few strategies to help her deal with the one family member in particular.  By the end of the flight, we both came away feeling buoyed and strengthened with the sense that if we stay in our own power and realize that we can only change ourselves . . . all will be ok.  It may not be easy, but it will be ok.  Be true and honest and kind to “self”, and you’ll be amazed at the truly amazing life you will attract to yourself!

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