do not forget where you came from

the importance of giving yourself appreciation

Photo by Redd F on Unsplash

How often do we get each up day and just carry on as normal?

Do we ever just sit there and take a moment to appreciate where we are on that precise morning?

Appreciate all we have in our lives, all we may have created or the people around us have achieved that we have been a part of it.

The sad and dark times we may have been in or perhaps are in, yet we still get up and crack on with the day ahead. The parts of our lives we felt were impossible and we didn't see out, yet in time we got there through our strength or those we chose to surround ourselves with.

It is only when we can sit with these times and appreciate the journey that are we in a position to assist and help others, or at least show compassion to what they are going through. For if we take things for granted and forget we lose how it felt to be truly lost and how we struggled, and the tools we used to get through it.

When we are familiar with an area geographically, when someone asks us for directions on the street or road, we are equipped to assist them and guide them to the best of our knowledge to their destination.

A simple task of "Where is O Connell St." could be met with directions or depending on how difficult the route was, some may invite them to accompany you as you are heading in that direction.

How different is it to assist when someone you know asks you for help, or perhaps they do not ask, yet you may sense they may need yours or some assistance in the future, and you offer it prematurely?

To never forget where you come from, comes in all matters of form.

I've been asked, by some to reach out, and have subsequently met student therapists from people in 1st and 2nd year to those thinking about taking on the course, and looked for some help or encouragment on what to expect going into this next stage of their lives. It was my pleasure to be able to assist someway and help ease some of their worries and offer support in the future, for any reason however small, for I remember that time so well. And the struggles I felt during it, and will appreciate that time and how I was able to overcome them.

It is something I am passionate about, as perhaps the institution or colleges may not show the strong level of help that was needed (but that's another days story) but that is out of our control, what we can do is reach out and offer our services in any way we can.

As my time as a hairdresser did not last long until I went into management, the main objective of my time as a senior team member, was education and helping the assistant trainees in their time as best I could, usually having to remind some of the senior staff that they were once in that position. Something, again I would never forget, the struggles the mistakes, the learning, low pay, and long hours, so was important as a value of mine to be there for them for support, and encouragement when they felt deflated or unappreciated.

We have all come from somewhere, gotten through our rough times, and come out of the other side, but how often do we give ourselves some of that appreciation that we deserve to acknowledge it?

Own it and embrace where we are right now.

This is an important step in self-acceptance, giving ourselves some kindness and being grateful for all we have done.

And once we become aware and comfortable and proud of our achievements we allow ourselves to be open to help and see others we may have not seen before.

So, perhaps after you read this, pause and give yourself some thanks, for the moments you got through, acknowledge your strength and know, should you be faced with some difficulties right now, you have the strength or resources around you to get you to the next stage.

And, then maybe have a look and see is there anybody you come into contact with, that may need some encouraging words or help.

As always, thanks for reading

and be kind to yourself and others,

Marcus.