Notes To My Younger Self:

Notes To My Younger Self:

If you’re unsure whether or not you are self-sacrificing, know that it comes down to your intent. To help be clear on your intent, ponder on these questions: 

Are you doing what you’re about to do because that’s what good—people, parents, sons, daughters, friends, spouses…fill in the blank—do?

Are you acting to present or appear a certain way or to get others to think of you in a certain light?

Are you doing for fear of what might happen if you don’t?

After doing something similar in the past, did you hear yourself complain in any way?

Are you doing to meet other’s expectations?

Are you doing because it brings you joy and therefore you don’t experience feelings of obligation, resentment or victimhood after the fact?

Are you doing to make up for something you’ve done in the past? 

Once you’ve done, do you feel a sense of satisfaction and peace? 

After you’ve “done” do you release the event and easily move forward to what you want to do next? 

After you’ve done, do you have no need to tell others what you’ve done for another? 

Will you find any joy in what you’re about to do?

What expense, if any, will doing cost you physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

When you’re doing, do you find yourself rushing to just get it done? 

Before doing, do you take inventory to see if your cup is filled up before you extend? 

Are you doing to avoid judgement? (From yourself or others)

Are you acting on your beliefs or are you comparing to or acting on what others belief? (Ie. Is this your belief or could it be a generational belief or societal belief?)

Are you doing to check a box?

Are you doing to avoid looking at something else? 

A you doing because it’s your heart’s desire?

E.L. Chappel author of Spirit Dance and Storm Makers

Extending and caring for others is one of the great blessings we can give. The gesture is not self-sacrificing as long as we act on our own behalves with clear, authentic, honest intent, and no expectations. 

aka A woman discovering her highest purpose and her highest timeline.