Many of us focus on what we haven’t done and accomplished instead of what we have done, what we have chosen, what we have accomplished and who we be in this world. Is it possible that we have been a greater contribution to the world than we have acknowledged? Is it possible that we have touched more people and created more change in the world than we would like to recognize?
I was considering my life and all the hopes and dreams I have had over the years, just those little musings you do when you’re first waking up in the morning. I have been asking a lot of questions about what life and business I would truly like to have.
What about my life and business are exactly what I have been asking for that I haven’t acknowledged?
I proceeded to go on a little journey. I invite you to join me and maybe consider some of these questions for yourself. I asked and continue to ask these questions to gain awareness and let go of the places where I have judged myself for not being, choosing or doing something different. Does that sound familiar?
When I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a cardiologist to save my little brother’s life. He was born with a heart murmur and diaphragmatic hernia.
How many lives have I changed and saved by being me?
What kindness and joy have I spread to the world that I haven’t acknowledged?
When I was 9 years old, I wanted to be an environmentalist so that people would treat animals and the Earth better. I was going to be a Planeteer, like the kids on one my favorite cartoons, Captain Planet. To this day, I still remember a video that my teacher showed us in 3rd grade where there were little lion cubs getting their heads stuck in soda can plastic rings and as they grew the plastic cut into their necks and killed them. Yeah they showed us that in 3rd grade.
How have I contributed to the Earth and to awareness about the Earth that I haven’t acknowledged?
What can I choose today that would be nurturing to the Earth?
When I was 11 years old, I was going to be a poet and writer. Both my parents encouraged me to write. My dad inspired me to write poems given his penchant for poetry. When I first started writing poetry, my poems were angst-filled given that I was going through puberty with very little tools for how to navigate the hormone-fueled pettiness of middle school and my parent’s divorce. I journaled and wrote poems to document my woes, my hopes and dreams and all the changes going on in my life.
In what ways do I express myself that are fun for me?
How have my creations contributed to others and the world that I haven’t acknowledged?
When I was 12 years old, I was going to be a Goddess. I was obsessed with Greek Mythology. My favorite goddess was Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls. She was venerated for healing diseases, especially in women, and she was usually depicted carrying a bow and arrow. I even dressed up as her for Halloween that year!
What infinite capacities do I have that I haven’t acknowledged?
Where have I created change in girls and women’s lives?
Where have I healed myself and transformed my body?
When I was 16 years old, I was going to be a sex therapist. I was volunteering at a Crisis Line once a week and had even guided people away from killing themselves. I was the confidante of many of my adult family members and at the same time, at school, I gave out sex advice, as a virgin, to my high school classmates. I remember people not believing that I was a virgin because my advice totally worked to improve their relationships and sex lives. I did an independent study on Rape: Myths and Realities and was very interested in clearing misconceptions people had around sex, sexuality, and assault.
In what ways have me being willing to have conversations around sex changed people’s realities?
In what ways is me being someone who has had relationships with men and women changed people’s points of views on the LGBTQI community?
Where have I judged myself for the difference that I be that if I let that go would create even more change in the world?
When I was 18, I was going to be a civil rights and gender rights advocate. I took a class called Gender: Voices and Visions my first quarter at Northwestern, which discussed gender in Literature (voices) and Art (visions). The idea that everyone should have the choice to live and create their lives on their terms and based on what they desire, as long as it didn’t hurt anyone else, really struck me.
Where have I been an invitation for people to choose what works for them?
What questions have I asked that has encouraged people to consider other points of views?
I went on to choose a career path in Speech-Language Pathology. In my first class in the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders, Dr. Paula McGuire spoke about speech-language pathology and I remember thinking, “I want that. I want to do that and be that.” I completed a dual Master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities and became a Speech-Language Pathologist and Learning-Behavioral Specialist. After working in the Chicago Public Schools and transitioning to working in clinics and homes around Chicago, I wanted to become a feeding therapist. I added on coursework and training in feeding therapy.
What would I choose to be, do and create if I acknowledged that I am beyond definition?
What else can I add to my life and business today that would be fun for me?
Thank you for going on this journey with me! I hope you had fun and these questions were a contribution to you acknowledging how amazing you are!
Siris
Resources:
Element of Living: Dreamland Video HERE
Elements of Living Introductory Book HERE
#hopes #dreams #visionboard #metaphysics #acknowldgement #betterlife #mentalhealth #exuberantliving #choosingitallyourway #mentalhealthcoaching
Siris Raquel Rivas-Verdejo is a Life Coach, Speech-Language Pathologist and Therapeutic Energy Worker, who helps busy individuals and families have a greater sense of joy, ease and clarity in their lives so they can create phenomenal lives beyond what has been projected or expected of them. Schedule a private session with her HERE.
Website: www.empoweringlightlanguage.com