OK, so we’re going on a journey. It’s long-haul.
Like, years long.
If you’re anything like me, you’re going to be thinking about the in-flight movies (yay), wishing you had remembered to choose the ‘vegetarian’ food option (damn) and hoping you don’t get that annoying middle seat that’s neither on the aisle or next to the window. Oh, and not sitting next to someone whose company is going to double the journey time.
And that’s kind of like our lives (except maybe the bit about food).
We have no idea what we’re going to see, who we’re going to meet and what experiences we’re going to have over the next few years. There will be plenty of real-life movies to participate in and watch. People will come into our lives and go out again; some will be keepers, while others will be people we are glad to leave behind.
Wait, We Haven’t Left Yet!
The thing is, this long-haul flight analogy only goes so far. The whole point of becoming who you are is that you make your own journey.
So, let’s start at the beginning. Introducing…
The Airport Metaphor
You’re queuing for the check-in desk. Perhaps you’re excited, maybe you’re nervous (or excitevous – a mixture of both). If you’ve been in an airport before, you probably know the security mantra (here’s where the metaphor gets a bit stretchy, but stay with me).
‘Don’t leave your luggage unattended’
There are many different parts of you that are all going to feel different things about this journey. Take care of all those parts and they’ll come around. Neglect them, and this journey will be far more difficult, if not impossible.
‘If anyone gives you anything to take on the flight, don’t accept it’
We all have burdens from the past. These might be expectations, thought patterns or beliefs about ourselves. Perhaps some people you know might not be so keen on the idea of you taking this journey. Leave that behind; remember this is your journey and you don’t need to take other people’s negative baggage with you…
‘All luggage is subject to searches’
…because by now, you’ve probably got enough of your own. Do you really need it all? Or are there things that might get in the way? Self-examination is time-consuming and really tough but it has to be done from time to time to ensure your journey is safe.
Checking-In
At the start of the journey, we can look at where we’re at.
This first look isn’t about finding deficiencies in ourselves: we already have all the tools we need to go on this journey.
This first look is about finding what we don’t need to take with us as we start. It’s about beginning to let that all go. And this process starts with identification and awareness.
As you check in, take a look at the stuff you have. If you want to take it all with you, that’s cool. If not, how will you feel leaving some of it behind?
becomingwhoyouare
