I once had an empty circle. It lacked smiles, laughter, bright and happy eyes, inquisitive souls, love, friendship, and family. It was just a circle with a round exterior. There was nothing inside of it. At the time, it seemed okay because I didn’t realize it was “empty” until I began to fill it.
Of course, this relates to feeling empty in your life. It provides some reasoning as to why now is a good time for you to step outside your comfort zone and finally pursue your dreams and goals. What is in your circle right now? Is it enough?
When I realized my “circle” was lacking, I began to fill it.
FILL YOUR CIRCLE
I filled it with reminders of what I have accomplished and experienced in my life. Smiling, even on the difficult days. Thinking of memories spent with my parents, both gone now, and my family. Ice skating on little puddles of ice when I was a child. Writing love songs and playing the guitar. Having fun and unusual times in college! Getting married and having four beautiful babies. Training in martial arts. Earning a master’s degree. Creating words that float, turn and twist into poetry and prose. Overcoming obstcles, some big, some small. Building confidence. Inspiring others.
Looking back now, I see the circle differently than I did when it was empty. It was empty because it was waiting to be filled with who I am, who I love, and who I want to be. It needed me to survey all the things that brought me to where I am today and suddenly, voila, the circle filled and expanded! It carries all of my choices, actions, successes and life lessons. It can be filled without limitation.
It is a circle of ME and is as unique as I am.
I suppose there are a million experiences I can share about filling my circle. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I recognized there was even an emptiness at all. That is when I got married, started a family and also when I began martial arts. Suddenly the circle expanded and widened.
MOTHERHOOD AND MARTIAL ARTS
Family and martial arts flow through my life, through my veins, simultaneously. Practicing motherhood and martial arts together helped me improve as a human being. Both made me question myself and pushed me to the brink of where I thought I could go. Both challenged me, even to the point of exhaustion, but they are at the same time, incredibly perfect. This was the time in my life when I filled my circle with the most love and truth, self-improvement and self-belief than ever before and the circle is still overflowing because of it.
This is a bit philosophical and yet I am sure if you take a step back and survey your circle you will see what I mean. I bet there there are still gaps here and there. What is holding you back? What goals do you want to achieve? What techniques should you learn? What gifts can you give? Feeling down or alone is a sure sign that you need to fill your circle. When you wonder what to do next, fill your circle. When you are distraught, need to make a decision, or are afraid, fill your circle. We are all connected through experiences and emotions. Create, improve, and succeed. Share your laughter, joy and peace. A smile goes a long way and just might help someone else. I know it will help you.
FILL UP!
You may not realize it, but you fill my circle and I fill yours. However, your circle will never be completely full. That is the beauty of it. You can fill it with every dream, goal, desire, delight, happiness, improvement, challenge, thought, and dream that you have. Like a balloon it expands, but it never pops. The more you fill it, the more you find your place in the world.
Who doesn’t want to fulfill their passion and purpose in their life and in the world? It’s time to fill up!
xoxo
Andrea
The Martial Arts Women Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)
Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X
