Letting go gets easier every day the more I acknowledge and accept that nothing in life is truly mine. Everything is an experience that exists to teach me and it’s up to me to either learn or remain ignorant. To be rich in spirit than wealthy with materials is the greatest form of prosperity and that’s all I strive to achieve for myself.

With me working full time now, I found myself anxious and disheartened at my inability to volunteer as regularly as I had when I was part time. I’m continuously trying to establish that balance between priority and pleasure but even having a routine, not being able to actively serve a community that’s a second home to me breaks my heart. However, upon learning about the ego and the discoveries helping reframe my perspective, it’s taught me something.

While I’m grateful the advocacy I’ve done (and will continue to do) doesn’t stem from wanting to enhance my self image, I found that the upset is because I see the pantry I work for as an extension of myself since its values and mission statement align with community goals I’ve worked towards. I’m not denying I’m still upset being unable to volunteer, but knowing I can always return when my schedule allows brings me peace.

Even if I can’t return, accepting that and acknowledging it was an amazing experience I had the pleasure of living is okay with me too. The peace I’m experiencing with this realisation is liberating, and I hope that even with whatever remaining anxieties I experience, I’ll learn from it too.