Beautiful Baggage

I see a red flag when someone says "He or she's got too much baggage." I have learned that often it means they have a very critical nature and are not deeply empathetic or sympathetic about the life experiences of others. It could be because they went through life unscathed or because they are just not equipped mentally or emotionally to deal with any pain outside of what they have in their life. And finally, it could be that someone is reflecting very harshly on how they feel about their own past life experiences.

If they are unable to go easy on themselves how can they go easy on someone else? What is important and life-changing is how you feel about your past and your baggage. Your perception is the most important thing and will affect how others view you. No one knows what you have been through just from hearing you tell your story. How you talk about it is your reality at that stage in your life, and you might be holding a lot back because it is so painful and difficult to trust.

When we begin to forgive others and ask for forgiveness for the pain we caused others we can accept things that happened in our life without shame or guilt. I know it's not easy. It takes time and every day it is a commitment to work on things such as changing our attitude to a grateful one.

My baggage is beautiful, and I claim it! It was delivered quite painfully through many years! Many times I thought, why me! I used to allow people to label me as "Damaged" It took time to understand that because of all the hard times I developed empathy and self-compassion, I learned to give myself a break and now I am more compassionate with other people.

I see treasures in my baggage from over the years! I have two children and six grandchildren now. I am married to the most amazing man and I know if I had not gone through all the adversity over the decades I would not appreciate them as much as I do now. I knew it would take time to heal me and it felt as if it would never happen. Bad memories kept setting me back every time I would take two steps forward.

I see the value of all I endured now and I know many people who have had the greatest challenges and yet they are the brightest lights. Some people have gone through more pain than others, but not because they deserved it. Life is full of surprises and we can leave a good mark wherever we go. we each have our unique path and purpose in life. No one gets to label it but you.

Claim your baggage that has all the past pain and look for the treasures that came from it. It requires a new perception and attitude about life!