When we are young, we all imagine the life we think we will have when we are an adult. How many of us have the life that we dreamed of as a child? What if that was our path? What if that was the way we should have gone? What if we didn’t do what was expected by those around us and followed our dream? What made you go in the direction you went instead of the way you dreamed? Did you go in the opposite direction just to make someone else happy? In doing that, Did it make you happy?

When we become people-pleasers, we lose ourselves. We lose direction; and we lose sight of our dream. When we live to make others happy, we often find ourselves lost. We become lost in chaos of life and often our own minds. We go through the motions and tell ourselves we are satisfied; but we aren’t truly fulfilled.

Personally, I have come to a near breaking-point. I’ve become aware that my good works and kind nature is taken for granted. My help is expected. My generosity is expected. Keeping my feelings to myself is expected. I look back and wish I appreciated myself more. Instead, I see/saw myself as others see/saw me and treat[ed] me. Can you relate?

Is it too late to change your view of yourself and your dream? Never! It’s never too late to improve. How do I/you change? What is my/your first step? Steps in change is different for each of us. You can do it without outside advice or influence. All you need to do is pick one thing that diminishes your self-worth and start there. Then onto the next thing that diminishes your self-worth. Change how you respond to those things. Being available for yourself doesn’t make you a bad person. Standing up for your opinions, doesn’t make you wrong.

I can put myself first and still be kind, caring and helpful to others. When I put myself first, I have more compassion for another. I don’t feel burned out (as much!). When I finally follow my dream, I have peace. My dream of how I thought my adult life would be can’t be restored. But I can start from where I am. I can preserve my future by making necessary changes now.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” -Galatians 1:10

When I am available to myself, I am more present with God and that matters most to me.
Are you ready to be available to yourself? Where will you start? When?