The Weight We Carry

I own a pair of 5-pound weights that are always in the corner in my living room, waiting for me to pick them up.

I walk by them every day, and when I catch a glimpse of them from the corner of my eye, I usually think "Gee, I should probably use those more often."

Some days I work up the motivation to use them. And it feels good.

But other days, it feels just as good to leave that weight sitting right there on the floor. To not pick it up. To not be burdened by it.

I think about all of the weight I have lost over the years - both figuratively and literally. The ups and the downs and everything in between.

It's been quite a journey.

The weight I've carried at different stages of my life has made me strong.

I've built muscles in my arms and my legs, but more importantly, I've built perspective and a more positive attitude, which has strengthened my ability to survive the challenges in life.

Sometimes the people around me help shoulder the weight of life, and that inspires me.

Other times, there are people around me who make that weight heavier, and I have to let them go because I just can't shoulder it anymore.

As I get older, I'm more careful about the people, thoughts and material things that I allow in my life.

I know how heavy it can all get. And I finally feel like I know the balance that is right for me.

The weight that we carry should be just enough to teach us how to be the strongest versions of ourselves, but not too much to bring us down and make us veer off the path that we were meant to take.

How much weight do you carry? Is it time to offload some of it?

It's okay to walk away from the people who bring you down, and to get rid of the material things in your life that make you feel smothered. And it's especially important to unload the weight of your own negative self-talk.

As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I recommend that you give yourself these gifts:

• Let go of the negativity and the things you can't control

• Be true to who you are and not what other people tell you that you should be

• Look around you and donate the things that no longer bring you joy

I guarantee you'll feel a little bit lighter - and a whole lot happier!