I recently dove back into the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast with Glennon Doyle and Abby Wombach. I hadn’t listened to it forever, but I’m telling you, the last four episodes I tapped into have meant the world to me. The first two were featuring Lindsay C. Gibson and Emotionally Immature parents, episodes 263 & 264. The way she articulates and sheds light on experiences I can relate to all too much was incredible. And then, and then, they had Elizabeth Gilbert on for another two episodes, 268 & 269. I already love Gilbert. I never read, Eat, Pray, Love but I do enjoy the movie. City of Girls is up there as one of my favorite books, and Big Magic is one of the best things I’ve read. She challenges you to live your dreams in some of the best, most inspiring ways.

But now, Gilbert has launched Letters from Love. You can find it here on her Substack. I highly encourage you listen to the podcast episodes to hear her talk about why she started it and the meaning behind it, but it’s really about facing your fears, growth, and insecurities, with love. Instead of the shadow side of this, which is to keep beating yourself up as you navigate the ebbs and flows of life, you listen to love and what it has to tell you because it’s always loved you. It’s about leaning into what your intuition and spirit have been telling you all along, in a loving way, always nipping at your heals, but you finally turn to face it and embrace this self love. This is a practice I will embrace moving forward, and I so hope you dive into this. So, here is my first Letter from Love:

Dear Love, what would you have me know….

My dear, I want you to know you have always, always been loved. From the moment you were conceived and your first breath, through every life moment until now. And I will always be with you through all your days until your very last breath and beyond. 

It’s been a journey through these years. I’ve watched you go into this world with such bravery from the time you were a young child. You were a fierce survivor that worked tirelessly to protect those that should have been protecting you, to do anything in your power to have a different story than the one you’d been born to, and how you’ve tried to give and take care of everyone else to find a sense of belonging, afraid you’d be too much or cast aside if you had needs of your own. But the thing is, I’ve always loved you. Even on the days you felt like you were unlovable, too much, or something was wrong with you, I’ve always been there for you and I always will.

The younger version of you has worked so hard, and I see you validating her efforts to get you to this point in your life. She kept doing and doing, and going and going. Always afraid if she stopped, all her efforts would be lost and be for nothing. I see you finally validating her for all that she did to get you to this point and letting this part of you rest so you can pause, be, flow, enjoy. No more bulldozing through this life without connection to why you are doing it, if it serves to create the life you crave and have been dreaming of. You are worthy and enough just as you are. You don’t have to prove it to anybody out there.

I see the beautiful sunshine in your soul and the way you go about taking in all the small moments that fill you with joy. The trees, the birds, wildlife, beautiful skies, mountains, lakes, the vastness of the ocean. I know you sometimes question your optimism as if it’s not welcome in our society, or you’re an oddity because you can find the optimism and joy despite all the dark and hard life has to offer. But don’t forget how you’ve embraced the dark my dear. I’ve seen you lay down your sword and dive straight into all of the the pain, hurt, and trauma. You’ve let the tears wash away all the things that no longer serve you so the shiniest parts of you remain to support the beautiful soul you truly are and live a life that is true to you and for you. I love all of this about you and don’t ever lose your spark. In a world with so much hurt, you are a leader with heart, love, and optimism. 

You are turning a point in your life where you are no longer seeking to find it and define yourself by the work you do, but you’re at a state where you’re rewiring the way you live, love, and relationship. You have so much more peace. I know you long to be part of something bigger than you are, but you are enough just as you are with a home inside of you. Whether you live a life of solitude where you build community around that, or you eventually do have your loving family you’ve longed for, I will love you either way. Don’t ever forget, you find deep nurturing and belonging as you take to the woods each day with your furry companion. You always belong there and always will, while I will always love you.

And all that grief for the love you have to give in this world and haven’t found the right place to give it. I know this is a deep hurt and you’ll often have tears well up in the corner of your eyes thinking about it. Just know that I see you cultivating a life for yourself in the most authentic and intentional way now. You know that your spirit, the intuition you have ignored for so many years, is comforting you as you make this transition in your life right now, with a knowing you are finally on the right path. One where you are cultivating joy, love, connection, and community, and using all the skills you’ve learned along the way to make an impact on the world in a way that is true to who you are, what you need, and the life you want to live and how you want to feel each day. Regardless of where this path takes you, the mishaps you might find along the way, or if your next choices and endeavors end up not working out, I know you will always find your way, and when you do, because let's face it, there will always be mishaps and hard times, I’ll be right here loving you every step of the way like I always have. I’m so glad you are finally seeing that I’ve been here for you all along.

With all the love,
Love xoxo

Work with me!
If you are looking for coaching support, I’d love to meet and see if we’re a good fit. You can email me at shannon@radiantfirefly.com or schedule time to connect here to see if it feels good to continue an engagement together.