Close your eyes and invite yourself to settle.
Breathe into calm and let the soft,
Soothing energy of relaxation flow through your body.
Our former selves are ghosts to us,
Still present but not really,
Though it may seem like they're past their use.
In truth,
Their memory is a blessing.
With your eyes closed,
See who's there,
Which versions of you still linger.
Ask yourself where you all stand,
If there's anything you still wonder,
Though we want to believe we shed those selves when new understanding settles in,
We actually move farther if we're willing to embrace the messy past hiding within us.
It's not that we have to wallow there,
Or relive what we'd rather not,
But whatever they are,
We are as well,
And their scars have stories to tell.
If we don't listen when they speak,
Our present life just gets harder,
For they know better than anyone else what it takes to make us smarter.
Picture a younger version of you,
Hold yourself close as you breathe in gently,
Prepare to listen as you speak to you,
Breathing out to make space in your body.
What was needed that couldn't be found?
What lessons were taught?
Have you found what you thought you lacked,
Or are you still searching for answers?
Perhaps it's daunting to look back this way,
To see how much work remains,
But taking stock reveals successes too,
Showing you where you shine.
Think of these selves like rings of trees,
Their numbers growing as you age,
And like those rings,
They're safely surrounded by the growth you've toiled to achieve.
They still exist,
Like shadow selves,
Appearing when circumstances demand it,
But like the rings in the trees,
Or ghosts in the attic,
They're only glimmers of what used to be.
Inhale and accept the process,
The ever-changing shifts.
Exhale and accept the necessity of keeping watch as you advance.
At some point,
You will all be friends.
You'll co-exist gratefully,
For they are pleased that you push on with the tools they crafted for you.
The past is never quite what we think,
Our memories can let us down.
She's a sister who never forgets a thing,
And she's there to cheer you on.
So look more fondly on your past,
Don't fear what you have been.
We all spend time in foolish places until we figure out where we belong.
Even if you haven't found that place,
The one that's meant for you,
Your former selves Hold all the clues,
And believe in what you can do.
Breathe in as you take your ghosts by the hand,
Accepting what they offer.
Breathe out and settle into their company,
Feeling more whole when you're together.
Namaste,
Beautiful.
