Where to begin, where to initiate how, or who, or what is pouring “into” you!

I have spent a great deal of my life (yes including childhood) in search of something that I could not put my finger on, much less find the words to help define, explain, or even reflect my search. There are a ton of metaphors, philosophical rants, and memes that could be used for this type of search but none actually meet what my heart and soul know to exist. If I know it exists why can I not articulate what I am searching for. Then one day randomly I began to realize the need to “lean into” things, people, situations, issues, happiness, and even love. However, this is where my mind lost all bearings because leaning into something was a face-first attempt and being ahead of a concept in life. Imagine that, all these years I have been ‘pushing’ my way through the crowds, problems, and stairs when a more polite way would have been to lean into it.

And just like that…I was learning (and leaning) a new way of living, loving, and seeing life. It felt gentler, easier to understand, and less evasive, or aggressive but then I began to see how leaning into something can be beneficial with the right ideologies of what and where you are leaning from. Leaning into could leave you flat on your face. Let’s face it (no pun?…ok lots of puns here) if you lean too fast or far you will absolutely fall flat on your face. Break what little humility and confidence you may have left. Because in the end, there isn’t anyone there to catch you or even tell you not to lean so heavy or hard on something, or someone, that isn’t on the same level as you. Hell, even those a level below you will want you to fall down to their level. Trust me, this is an absolute thing. Yes, the proverbial “I will catch you before you fall” becomes, I didn’t actually see you falling because you leaning into “whatever” (add your part). So no catch, no one looking out for your lean. I mean it is YOUR lean so alas I myself would revert back to pushing my way back into the world I know.

Or so I thought! Let’s take the lean into concept and add some depth to it. First and foremost, I believe what was missing (even in the words I write) was why you were leaning or WHOM you were leaning into or FOR. Self-awareness is not overrated in any part of life, I promise. Knowing is more important than doing in many cases, but when it comes to living, loving, and being you – know yourself to fully anticipate and comprehend the magnitude of what you are seeking before pushing, leaning, or pouring. Pouring is where my search for my ‘something’ ends. It is a simple, yet understandable concept about when you pour a glass of water – you are _ (what?) – filling a glass, bucket, tub, etc… The actual act of pouring is exactly what is essential to life, love, and living. Forget leaning (I am not explaining again, re-read that paragraph), instead pour into everything. Pour yourself into your life to make sure you get what you put into it. Pour yourself into loving someone who sees and feels the concept of filling ourselves with love – and filling others with love. Think my cup runneth over…classic saying that I totally get on a whole new level. Pour life into living every day like it’s your last.

Think deeply about this idea, then pour your heart, mind, and soul into exactly what you want from life, people, and love. If you see that your life is only half full, then take a step back and see (and feel) how you could pour yourself, your energy, your focus, your tenacity, and your entire being into something or someone to fulfill that emptiness, that need, that loneliness, that gap, that hollowness, that person…that lack of purpose in your life, love, and living. If we (or our parents) fully understood this simple visual perspective from the beginning of our lives, imagine the things that would be full in our world. First things first, I urge you to begin…pour a glass for yourself then find someone wanting, needing, and willing to pour into you, and you pour into them, and so on, & so on.