Filling Your Own Cup

Mes amies,

Lately I have been exploring the idea of filling my own cup, or in other words, doing things that increase my confidence and self-fulfillment. I think of it as filling out my self, my actual being and who I am as a person (whoever that is). If you've read The Mastery of Love, it's like filling up my magical kitchen.

When my cup is full, I feel worthy and I respect myself. I love myself. I don't need love from others, although it is always welcome. I have plenty of love to give to others as well. I'm so full of love and self-respect that I couldn't care less what the person down the street thinks of me, or that I haven't been invited out on Friday night, or (ahem) that a special someone didn't call when he said he would. Gone are the assuming and the obsessing. I am content in the love that is coming from within me.

I fill my cup by doing things that bring accomplishment, knowledge, happiness. I practice the violin, I browse bookstores, I exercise. I join groups, book clubs, meetups, and make new friends. I confront my fears and overcome them. I learn new skills. I improve old skills. I create art. I write. I do.

Theoretically speaking, that is. Because right now I don't do most of those things, and I am nowhere near a full cup. Right now my cup is very, very empty. Terribly empty. So empty that I know the road ahead is long, and daunting. But a wise friend told me that the only way to conquer fear is to walk right towards it, so that is what I am going to do. I'm already afraid of failing, but I have to give it a try. I don't want fear to hold me back from living a full life.

Is your cup full? How do you fill it?