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I feel that I owe the very best version of myself to the world.
For years I did this by neglecting myself, giving EVERYTHING I had to others.
I sacrificed myself daily.
I felt that others were more worthy and valuable, so I saw myself as expendable.
Over time I had nothing left to give, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
I decided to make radical changes to my lifestyle, mindset, and heart-set.
I put myself first daily.
Those individuals who had always taken from me without giving told me I was selfish.
I was breaking codependency, and I didn’t gain their agreement.
There was something missing in their life, and they had filled that void with my sacrifice.
And now they felt like I owed them me.
All of me.
To my own exhaustion and detriment.
Now that I had shifted, they were left without and they felt I was selfish.
I was healing myself, but I re-exposed the void in their lives.
They hated that void, and I left them without the energy, passion, and love they didn’t have themselves, but had always received from me.
So I was labeled selfish by them.
That was their issue, not mine.
As I established and built healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle, those same people attacked me because of my shift.
Guilt, shame, anger, hate…
Jealousy.
They wanted what I was finding, but they did not feel like they could have what they desired.
And I was finding what they wanted.
So I made tough decisions about my community.
I surrounded myself with only supporters, and eliminated individuals who tried to hold me back.
They had their own suffering to solve.
Over time, I found much physical, mental, and emotional healing.
I started showing up in the world more authentically, powerfully, and able to give more – without sacrificing myself.
There is so much I can and do give.
But not at my own expense.
I matter.
I am worthy.
I am valuable.
I sacrifice myself for no one, and I give more than ever…
Because I have expanded my ability to contribute.
The best version of you NEVER includes sacrificing yourself for others.
Contribution, yes… but sacrificing yourself, no.
The world deserves the fullest, strongest, most genuine version of you.
When you make that shift to put yourself first, you will show up, and the world will embrace your personal power.
You never need to sacrifice yourself. You matter as much as anyone else.
Embrace your value.
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Previously published on mikekitko.com and is republished here under permission.
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Photo credit: iStockphoto.com