A Bonus Email for this Week (For a Special Occasion!)
Happy Friday, folks. It’s not just another Friday though; it’s also my birthday! And I’m sharing this picture, from when I was 14 or so, at school in Belize. When I see that little girl, I think of how much she has grown, healed, learned.
Today, I turn 57 – an age that used to seem ancient. I am grateful to be ALIVE, to feel lit up from inside, to walk in my purpose. I have never been happier, mostly because, over the past few years, I have come closer and closer to living an ever more authentic and fulfilling life.
Here’s how I know that’s happening ….
Clarity of decision making – over time, I make more decisions that are aligned with what I want to do, what I believe in, what feels joyful, generative and fulfilling rather than obligatory or responsible. Sometimes, these two are connected (I see you, No. 1s), but knowing the difference between doing something enthusiastically vs doing it “just because” is a new skill for me, and it’s serving me well.
The ability to slow down – to let decisions marinate, to gain the clarity I describe above, is also new to me. It’s very much a work in progress, but I have learned that taking a beat helps me hear what my body, my heart and my mind are saying. Just yesterday, I had to pause everything, because my nervous system was in overdrive. Reading, taking a nap, walking in the woods helped me re-balance.
Healthier boundaries – I am so much better at guarding my time and my energy so I can care for my physical and mental well-being. I accept trade-offs better, from simple ones like skipping the second glass of wine so I can sleep better to more complicated ones like doing less consulting work so I can have more free time to write (and less discretionary income!).
Greater trust in myself – A more fundamental shift has been an increase in self-trust. I trust that I will make the right decisions and adopt the necessary boundaries, and in doing so, find success my way. That may mean less external validation from awards and speaking gigs and greater internal satisfaction from having more solitude, time to read and exercise, and presence with family.
I know you’ve heard much of this from me and others, but it bears repeating. The journey to our most authentic self is the most important journey of our lives. No matter how committed we are to reshaping the world around us, the internal work is essential. I know this because I neglected that work for years, and only recently have I done the internal excavation I needed to do. As a result, life feels more integrated, less disjointed than when I was performing a public role that didn’t feel like the most authentic version of myself.
I think 14-year-old Sayu would be proud of me, as I am of her. And I’m grateful to the many in my community who support(ed) me – as coaches, friends, therapists, healers.
May you also find community, be creative, love big.
Sayu
Happy Birthday, Sayu!