Baggage

This term is thrown around so often and in so many different contexts nowadays that it’s not always easy to know what this term means anymore. Let me tell you what it means to me. Baggage to me is the junk we carry around (literally or figuratively) that in our most insecure moments makes up what we think is reality and who we think we are. I am very deliberate when I indicate it’s what we “think,” in those vulnerable moments; not necessarily what is true.

I realize this sounds complicated. I realize many of you may not have interest in delving into this subject. But it may be worth your time. People change, really they do. Despite the fact that you may believe and feel and act in some of the same ways you did days, weeks and years ago, you’re not the same person you were then. This means you have to make understanding yourself and those around you an ongoing process. This means that sometimes you let go of that baggage you hold onto about yourself and others. It also means you may be disappointed sometimes. They and you may do exactly what they and you did before, but maybe not. Unless you give yourself and others the room, faith, hope and possibility of being different no one never will be, at least not for you in the reality you create.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” It’s true. If you want something different from yourself or someone else YOU have to do something different too. Maybe it’s time we packed up those suitcases with what we’ve always done and incinerate them or something.