This past week was hell. Just when I felt comfort and balance in my life, I experienced a fall-out, leaving me dangling and whirling around like Harry Potter on a runaway broomstick. Before I could catch my breath, something new would come flying at me and whack me across the face like so many tree branches whomping the snot out of me as I hung in mid-air, clutching  on to keep from falling.

Life is like that sometimes. You can’t predict what will happen or when or how it will feel when it does. You can’t even predict  how you’ll react. You may think you know, but you don’t.

A few days ago, I was still feeling the effects of everything that had happened. My stomach was in knots and it felt like I had guzzled a gallon of acid. I was feeling down and upset I was alone and wishing people would call. And then I remembered.

I remembered the last year. I remembered everything I’ve already overcome. I remembered the lessons I learned and I made a decision. I wasn’t going to sit in the turmoil of it all. I wasn’t going to fall back into old patterns and feel needy or clingy or overwhelmed. Not anymore.

So I took a deep breath and exhaled. I reminded myself of the fact that I’ve learned I’m ok. As I am. Alone or with someone. Rich or poor. Fat or thin. Because the external, the labels, the situations don’t define me. I’m not my circumstances. I’m not even my body. I have a body. But it is only a covering. A shell to house the essence of who I really am. And my life, the fact I’m a mom or a friend or a daughter or I have a Masters degree and a knack for baking chocolate chip cookies – none of that is who I am either. They are pieces of my experience. But they aren’t the true me.

The real me is so much more than any of that. And I enjoy spending time with me. I’m pretty great. I’m more wise than I give myself credit for on a daily basis. I have strength that hasn’t even been close to being spent. I have a deep reservoir of love and compassion that is the basis for what moves me. I’m clever and funny and kind.

But I don’t say this to toot my own horn and shout “hey everybody look at how great I am”. I’m sharing it because I’m not unique in this. Anyone is capable of getting to know themselves on a deeper level. Of shedding the labels that define them. Of looking past their resume and seeing their inner beauty and strength. Of tapping into the wisdom of the soul behind their body and becoming free and empowered. Because, except for extreme exceptions, we all have this truth. Even if not everyone is aware of it.

If you are having a hard time now, if you are stuck in pain or situations or relationships, and you are unhappy, dropping the labels, spending time with yourself, learning how to love – truly love – who you are in each moment can free you. It begins with a breath. A deep breath. And letting go, relaxing, stilling your mind and the obsessive thoughts and connecting to who you are.

Welcome back!