I made a promise to myself.....
And I'm going to be brave & try keep it!
I made a promise to myself after gran let go of my hand that after witnessing two of my favourite people leave this world that the next stage of my life was to combine caring for the people I love & then learning to care for myself too. I wanted to become better at leaning in and leaning out. I came up with the Lean in- Lean out way of living. Leaning in to getting to know me better. Leaning in to loving me more. Leaning in to learning all about me- warts and all. Leaning in to know that strength, resilience and bravery lie inside me. And then learning to lean out when I was feeling lost, lonely and unloved. Leaning out to help others. Leaning out t& asking help. Leaning out to help others. Leaning in & leaning out! And so the L and L approach to life really began 💖 and I haven’t looked back since 💖
As 2023 began I reflected on what I wanted more in my life & equally what I wanted to remove in my life. So it was then I reaffirmed to myself I wanted to believe more in my gifts, I wanted to be braver in my life & I hoped I might blossom through this process and become the best version of me. So far this year I have made moves to push myself out of my comfort zone, and I hope I continue to do so. To achieve your goals you need to take risks, you need to step out while others are thinking about moving…you need to not think - instead you need to act. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment for the whole of my life.
As I write this post I’m sitting on the 3.45am bus to Dublin airport. This morning I’m flying to London. I’m staying in Notting Hill - what a dream - it’s my absolute favourite film. Yep I’m love true love stories 😂💖 I’m attending The London Book Fair for the next three days & I’ve been assigned a media pass for the whole event on the strength of my social media & content creation. And isn’t that the most affirming part. My hard work is paying off. I’ve got a badge to say I’m good at what I do & I now get to reap the rewards of showing up for myself everyday. Where the old me would have got in my own way and stepped back from pushing forward, the new me is stepping forward & im feeling the light within me shine. Not only am I fulfilling who I truly feel who I am but I’m getting to shine the light on others while I do it. I’m getting to make new friends. I’m getting to rekindle old friendships. I’m a stronger person in taking care and loving my family and my inner circle. I feel the shedding of my fears fall away and I feel the love, light and joy of who I really am stand forward.
Thank you for reading this post. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for staying close to me. I believe in you & I see you. I will be forever grateful for your support & for you playing such a powerful part in my transformation & for helping me be brave.
I’ll be doing lots of fb lives for the London Book Fair on www. Facebook.come/livingandlaughingwithlou 💖
And not to forget we have our get together zoom this coming Friday at 8pm Irish time. I’d love if you might come along as I chat about my trip to the states and also I’ll include this London trip too. Bring your cuppa tea and let’s get to know each other better 💖🇮🇪🇺🇸🇮🇪💖
The zoom details are as follows:
livingandlaughingwithLOU.substack.com is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Living, Laughing & Drinking Tea with Lou As She Chats About Her USA Book Tour!
Time: Apr 21, 2023 08:00 PM Dublin
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85842159459?pwd=V0NtZnVoUk9PbEpyd2NHTERWSGZEZz09
Meeting ID: 858 4215 9459
Passcode: teabags
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,85842159459#,,,,*5781645# US (Chicago)
+13462487799,,85842159459#,,,,*5781645# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
Meeting ID: 858 4215 9459
Passcode: 5781645
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbygKoalYZ
Okeydokey, I’m not sitting in the airport finishing this post off. It’s not 5.41am and I’m sitting in the middle of so many lives on the move and I know I’m very lucky to be in this position. I am healthy and I am well. my family & inner circle are healthy and well and I will now head towards gate 409. My bag is on my back - filled with books, but mostly filled with my dreams. I step up and even though my bag is heavy, my heart is light and I will always be so grateful for that feeling. I will now continue on my way to keep the promise I made to myself and the promise we should all try our best fulfil, which is that I want to leave a long and happy life and live as best I can. I want to bring love in my heart for me but also for those who are around me. I want the world to know I am grateful for the opportunities life has given me and equally I have accepted the crossed handed to me and I have carried them. And when the day comes that more crosses land on my shoulder, I will apply that same methodology that has gotten me here - I will lean in and I will lean out. I hope you feel strength and energy from me to you in this letter and I hope we get to spend time together at the zoom on Friday night and also you might join the Facebook family too.
Love and light until my next letter,
Thank you for being YOU - I see YOU & I believe in you!
Love always,
Lou x
“The brave woman is not she who does not feel afraid, but she who conquers that fear.”
I think that’s my favorite photo of you and granny.
you are brave and full of lovely thoughts. look forward to the next couple of days in London, Lou xx