Balloons In Your Backpack

In the previous blog post, Rocks In Your Backpack, we discussed how we all carry around invisible backpacks filled with our life experiences. The heavy rocks represent our negative life experiences and generational trauma, but luckily those aren’t the only items in our bags.

There are other objects in your backpack that do take up space, but they are light and airy, like colorful, happy balloons. These balloons are collected throughout life based on positive experiences.

Do not discount the value of these balloons as these are the most important items you possess;

they lift you up and out of the shadows of the heavy boulders and help carry you through life.

These balloons represent how many times you’ve accomplished something, or kept trying even when you wanted to give up. They track how kind you are, and the kindness you feel from others. Every time you notice qualities in your life such as love, kindness, empathy, compassion, understanding, joy, confidence, honesty, these balloons are filling your bag.

Activities you are passionate about like sports, volunteering, travel, learning, dancing, singing, theater, music; help offset some of the heavy rocks holding you down.

So when that pesky voice inside your head says, “you can’t do that” or “you’re not good enough” these rocks remind that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if it takes time. They remind you that you are good enough, smart enough, competent enough, lovable and by all means, you are not alone.

Sometimes it can be really hard to move when we feel weighted down by the heavy rocks. Taking time to reflect on the balloons that are also in the pack can help shake off that weight and bounce you into a more positive space.