Don't Give Up Yourself

July 25, 2025

As I sit here this early morning hour sipping coffee and watching the shadows dance created by my red oil lamp, I pause to reflect.

As I look back over the years, I can see the times I lost pieces of myself in the name of soothing someone else's insecurities or unhappiness. As a natural caregiver and people-pleaser, there were moments when I no longer recognized who I was or how I had arrived at that place. But through intentional growth and meaningful self-work, I have come to understand the essential value of honoring and prioritizing my authentic self.

Yes, I am still a giving and compassionate person who takes joy in uplifting others—but I now give from a grounded sense of self, not from a need for recognition, validation, or personal gain. The difference is profound. When you give from a place of authenticity, you offer true gifts of the heart, not transactions that cost you your soul.

Nurturing and safeguarding my authentic self has brought me something I had long been searching for: a quiet inner peace, a feeling of freedom, and a deep sense of joy. It is, at last, a state of harmony.

Action Item:

Reflect on how you currently show up for others—personally or professionally—and identify one way you can begin showing up more authentically for yourself this week. Choose one small, specific action (e.g., setting a boundary, saying “no,” taking a quiet moment for yourself) and commit to it with intention. Track how it feels and what shifts.

If you’re unsure where to start or would like support in navigating this process, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out—I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your authentic self.

Thank you for being here,

Jim