Nature, nurture and healthy boundaries.
Life is a journey, a series of choices, that either move us closer to who we want to be or push us further away from who we’re meant to be.
Every day, we face opportunities, distractions, and decisions.
To live intentionally, we have to nurture what matters most, eliminate what doesn’t, anchor ourselves in what is real, and keep the little flame alive inside.
It’s messy. It’s painful. It requires sacrifice and a bit of suffering.
But this is the very work that defines us.
What Do We Need to Nurture?
Let’s start with the relationships that matter most.
These aren’t just the folks who like our posts or send us holiday cards. These people are the real ones who truly see us, who cheer us on, and who push us to grow every single day.
Deep relationships like these don’t simply happen. They’re built, brick-by-brick and moment-by-moment, through time, trust, and intention.
And we can’t forget to nurture our relationship with ourselves.
Our energy isn’t infinite. It’s a precious resource. Sleep, nutrition, and exercise aren’t burdens. They’re how we live our lives to the fullest. Three magic bullets that bring health, wealth, and happiness.
If we’re reading this and dragging ass, we probably need to get outside and spend some precious time in nature.
We need to go take a walk. Let the trees remind us that growth takes time, the clouds remind us that life moves on, and the warmth of the sun remind us that we’re alive.
And, we can’t forget that it’s perfectly okay to be still.
We aren’t human-doings we are human-beings. Souls who thrive when we are cared for. So we can’t be afraid to unplug, retreat, or hit the reset button. To get real quiet. To rest.
We all know this: taking a step back allows us to take an even bigger step forward.
What Do We Need to Eliminate?
Let’s face it, not everything or everyone deserves our time.
Some people are manipulative controllers. They make us question our values, our choices, and even our sense of reality. They aren’t here to help. They’re here to hold us back.
It’s time to let them go.
Then there are the relentlessly negative folks. The ones who find fault in everything, complain endlessly, and drain our energy with their unyielding need for validation. They’re not our problem to fix, and it’s okay to quietly step away.
This is the wisdom of letting go.
It isn’t dramatic or loud. It’s quiet, decisive, and compassionate toward ourselves.
Eliminating what doesn’t serve us isn’t selfish, it’s survival.
Trying to keep someone who isn’t happy happy is exhausting. Soul destroying. And, debilitating.
If we’re not careful we’ll end up just like them.
We only have so much bandwidth, so we gotta spend it wisely.
Why Did We Attract and Entertain These People?
Here’s the hard truth: sometimes we allow these people into our lives because they reflect back parts of ourselves.
Maybe it’s familiarity. A pattern we’ve lived with for years. Maybe it’s the illusion of being needed, or unresolved insecurities that made us think their approval mattered.
It isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.
Once we recognize the pattern, we can break it.
Once we understand why we let them stay, we can show them the door.
Growth comes from asking, “What is this (person, situation, event) teaching us?” And then using the answer to move forward, let go, and move on.
What Anchors Us?
Anchors are our foundation, the things that hold us steady when the world feels chaotic.
Our values are our greatest anchor. Generosity, community, and freedom remind us of what is truly important, regardless of the distractions around us.
Family and close friends form another anchor. These relationships aren’t about convenience, they’re about commitment. They remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Then there is the quiet, the stillness. Whether through meditation, reflection, or simply sitting in silence, these moments ground us. They remind us that we don’t have to have all the answers, we just need to keep showing up.
Nature anchors us, too. The sky doesn’t rush, the trees don’t apologize for taking up space, and the waves don’t ask for permission to crash.
There’s a lesson in this: be ourselves, and life will unfold as it should.
What Ignites Us?
Passion is where it all starts. The spark that sets our soul on fire and pushes us to create, to grow, and to risk in healthy ways.
Dreaming, exploring, building something from nothing. Doing the best we can with what we have.
This is where we come alive.
Connection ignites us as well. Real conversations, shared stories, and moments of genuine human connection matter more than likes or followers. Because they are about meaning.
Then there’s the challenge. The work that stretches us, makes us uncomfortable, and forces us to grow. It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
Finally, freedom ignites us. The freedom to choose, to create, and to live on our terms. It isn’t about escaping responsibility. It’s about embracing possibility.
Freedom is a choice we make every day.
Reclaiming Our Energy
Reclaiming our energy is about setting boundaries and priorities. Saying YES to what matters and NO to what doesn’t.
It’s about surrounding ourselves with people who lift us up, pursuing the things that bring us joy, and letting go of what drags us down.
This is the work.
It’s messy and imperfect, but it’s worth it. Because so are we.
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Steve Knox | Pebble Beach, California
\\\ Thanks as always for reading. I wrote this one for anyone out there struggling to prioritize themselves. I hope it encourages you to take a deeper look at what you need. And, find a different way forward. Until next week. Be honest. Be you.