Many external influences or life events, can alter the original version of ourselves.

As teenagers we observe this on a fundamental level, such as with fashion, political beliefs, music taste etc.

Of course, the friends and people we meet are vital in helping shape us in adulthood. Those lucky few of us have lifelong friends- who feel more like family.

But, nonetheless with the busy lifestyles we all lead, we can, and often without conscious awareness, feel as though we’ve drifted miles away from our original version of us. The version which serves our wellbeing the best. This could be for several reasons, such as dented confidence, or maybe due to our responsibilities for others, or simply sheer fatigue.

Yet these peripheral distractors can make us feel out of kilter, and effect our mood negatively.

We need to remove the dust that’s built up on us, as though we are a precious gem, because we recall that as the best version of ourselves, we were polished, and full of energy and vitality.

So how do we achieve this, and what does the best version of ourselves look like?

I did my own-made exercise a few years ago. It was when the cerebral palsy worsened, and simultaneously my business faltered. I don’t mind admitting, that I was full of anxiety and fear, because I also had to face surgery to keep me walking, or slim down.

Sitting with these hindering emotions a while, I appealed to my inner child for assistance. I remembered that since I’ve not known of a nurturing mother; that subconsciously, since being very young, that there was only ever me to rely on anyway.

I gathered up some felt tips, and started drawing and noting down the things about my personality that positively assisted me, e.g.: my confidence, resourcefulness, humour, and found that I’d inadvertently, drawn a picture of self – that subconsciously depicted me as a smiley slim, and full of energy.

It was a eureka moment, because I was then able to recall what age I’d been, when I was living the best version of myself. It was in my early twenties, a time when I was the top sales person in the company, I used to work for, and I used to exercise regularly. Moreover, I was able to identify the roadblock which had changed me: The sudden death of my beloved father, and more recently the sudden death of my brother.

I’d realised that grief can freeze the natural flow of us humans. That just like a river might flood due to debris, or ice, that it affects our entire: mind, body, and soul. Therefore, firstly, I had to bring these factors back together again. We can’t just work on our feelings, they must work in unison, with our soul -calling, and this is heavily influenced by the body we reside in. I had to work on all three components, to become my original best version.

Then I had to commit, and regularly practice, as I still do – to sustain living as my best version of self.

What we look like physically, how tall we stand etc, will largely improve only when we remember that we need to take equal care of our mind and soul, and body in equal measures…

It all started sitting in quiet contemplation with myself. I had to disregard the problems, such as my mobility, because I knew that the issues I had, and of course still have, are more efficiently managed when we revisit and live as the best version of number one.

I hope you find this helpful.

With SUNNY wishes,

Emma xx