H is for…
…Honest
One of the characteristics of adult children is that we tell little lies when it would be just as easy to tell the truth. Not big, corruption-laden lies, but small white lies designed to keep us from being hurt.
“I don’t mind,” we say, when what we mean is “I do mind. A lot.”
Or we pretend to be fine/happy/healthy when we are none of those things. We refuse help, even when it is clear to everyone but ourselves that we need it.
We aren’t honest – with ourselves or with the people around us. Which means that we aren’t able to live authentically and we aren’t able to be real.
Tell yourself the truth.
Because being honest about your needs, wants, desires and emotions allows you to build intimacy, which allows for healthy relationships.
…Health
To be healthy requires us to be strong and well in all five areas of our lives: Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, and Relational.
We need to feel fit and well in our bodies, our minds and our souls. We need to have a healthy spiritual life, whatever that looks like for us, and we need to have strong, satisfying relationships (with ourselves and with others).
Being healthy requires us to be honest. When we are in denial (i.e. when we are lying to ourselves) about any area of our lives that is not in good shape, we are flirting with danger.
We need to eat healthy and nourishing food, think healthy and nourishing thoughts and do healthy and nourishing things in order to feed all five of our key life areas.
…Hope
“No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.” George Chakris
Hope is that very human sensibility that keeps us going when times are hard and challenges seem insurmountable. It is the thing that feeds our spirits and allows us to endure until we reach a better place.
In the words of Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.”
…Happy
You are allowed to be happy.
Really.
…Holidays
In order to be healthy, happy and hopeful, we need to rest. We need to take the time to feed our bodies, minds, emotions, spirits and relationships. We need to have a good holiday every now and then.
Whatever holidays you observe, and however you celebrate them, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, honest and hopeful holiday period.
I will be taking my summer holiday until the middle of January and look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year.
Here’s to Happy Healthy, Honest, Hopeful Holidays!
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Tags: adult children | brave | coaching | health | healthy choices. holidays | honest | hope | hopeful | little lies | tell yourself the truth | you are allowed to be happy
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