I spent most of my life living in the dark. Either pretending I had no shadow or only wanting to focus on my “good side”. And even now, when feeling extreme pressure or convenient I revert to that place. Whether it is a new year, decade, month or day. I am making a choice right here and right now. That choice is to stop polarizing and start embracing all of me, not just the convenient parts.

There is light and dark in all of us. We live in contrast. We like to avoid what is perceived as ugly, “not good” or bad. We are shamed in to only presenting the best of us. This is unrealistic and unattainable.

So I choose to thrive in responsibility and ownership of all of me. I choose to release my attachment to the habits that have distanced me from embracing my woman, empowering my voice, and the pursuit and embodiment of my dreams, truth and power. I have lived most of my life in anger, frustration, agitation, have lacked compassion and have forgotten my worth.

I have acted out of fear of being rejected, abandoned or being seen. Because of this, I have reacted from pain. I have presented myself from a place of facade – pretending to be someone I am not to appease, fit in, stand out or dominate.

Yes, I have made many deep and visceral changes the last many years and still, these are parts of me arise within me at times. Deny them? No. Repress them? What is the point? Embrace them? Yes, why not? They are a part of who I have been. My relationship with them has and is shifting. This is important to recognize.

Who we are today is not necessarily who we were AND who we are today is also because (at least in part) of who we were. So, for me, I am choosing to embrace all the parts that make me, well me. All the parts that I have neglected and abandoned. All the parts that have taught me something about my purpose, my pleasure and my passions.

My commitment to me, the cosmos and you is to show up as I am as often as possible. To forgive, yet be accountable to my standards. To soften when needed, open my heart, yet be fierce in who I am at my core. For me, my beloved and all of humanity. I thank you for you and honour you in all of the ways.

One is glad to be of service.

STEFANOS SIFANDOS

Relational Alchemist, Speaker & Author