For the first time in a long time, I gave myself a wonderful gift.
Don’t get me wrong – I am no stranger to retail therapy and attempting to make things better with a new handbag/pair of earrings/lipstick/shoes (the list is endless and so are my collections of stuff).
But I am talking about a gift with soul. Something you give someone that really connects with their spirit – lifts them up and has them thinking “I didn’t know I needed that but WHEW! now I have it I can see how great it is for me”.
So after a particularly dark time in my life I took a thought and wrapped it up in pretty soft pink tissue paper and set it aside to give to myself.
I knew I would have to prepare myself and my circumstances to really feel the benefit of this gift.
So I tied up my loose ends – had a few difficult but liberating conversations, put a deadline on my current commitments, (a process which took me 5 months) and crafted a big shift in my very being.
All this time my little “thought” gift was safely wrapped up in the cupboard waiting for the right time to be delivered.
And then it happened – I nervously opened up my soul gift and marvelled in the simplicity of it…
I had given myself the gift of – nothing – the gift of – space. I had subtracted some of the “big” things in my life that had lead me away from myself and I filled up their spaces with N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
I resisted the strong pull to fill up my space – and the pull was strong – people would ask “What are you doing now?” or “When will you start looking for work again?” And the job offers that I got without seeking were there taunting me. I learnt to use the word “Nothing” and be comfortable with it. I said “No” more often – but I am still getting comfortable with that.
So by creating myself some open unfilled space, I have gained many things:
– some colourful experiences I would never have had the energy to take
– trying the real me on for size in front of my family and friends
– rediscovering who I am and what I want
– being more present to what is happening in my own life and that of my children
– meeting a wonderful and ever increasing bunch of soul sisters
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
And what does this space feel like to me? It feels like soft pink clouds at sunrise above a wide open field of nothing – bathed in the glow of the possibilities of a brand new day.
I can highly recommend giving yourself the gift of nothing…you’ll never regret what comes to you when you create space for it.
Image By Bill Abbott [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
mmmm beautiful Lisa. Soul gifts that feel like fluffy pink clouds and the beauty in the spaces between objects that allow us to feel free and open.
Just like a fresh beginning and the promise it brings too x
I have recently learnt the lesson of giving myself the gift of nothing. Its something that I seem to keep needing to learn over and over again!
Like all life’s lessons I think they have to be practised again and again so the muscle stays fit 🙂
That’s beautiful Lisa! ‘Nothing’ is a gift that so many of us find difficult to give ourselves but one that is oh so beneficial for our soul and wellbeing. What a fabulous role model you are! Keep up the posts, it’s lovely getting to know you more through the written word. XX
Thanks Che! everyone’s input and support is such a wonderful gift too! X
Wonderful words Lisa, and beautifully crafted, finding joy in simple moments when you are doing “nothing” is that good life everyone is searching for!
Yes! The Good Life – worth seeking… <3 thanks lovely
Love it Lisa!! Thinking of space as a gift helps us to see just how important it is and how much we neglect giving ourselves space sometimes. It’s something that’s important for me to remember. Thanks for sharing! x
You’re welcome Kylie. <3