I am really glad to have come across @shadowspub, prompt a day initiative. I love to write, but some days I struggle to find the inspiration to do so. Some may say, that perhaps this is a sign not to write, but I wish to improve my writing and that is exactly why this initiative was created.

Writing has kept me sane these last 2 years, the perfect outlet to allow me to process everything and move forward with my life.

Today's word prompt is "Living". When I think about that word, the following questions come to my mind.
What does it mean to really live? To feel fulfilled with your life and connect with your true purpose? To experience all that you desire within your lifetime?

The answer depends on the person and my answer is what defines who I am. It is the path that I have chose in my life, stepping away from mainstream society and living on the edges. Learning the skills I need in order to take charge of my life, my health, my well being.

For me, Living is taking responsibility for my life, learning to reconnect with my body. Observing and listening to it, so that I can take the steps towards healing myself. Choosing to go down the path of seeking knowledge that will empower me, so that I am not relying on what others tell me.

I have always wanted to travel, when I was younger I remember spending time in the local library reading about different countries and the plants and fauna that lived there. I was so fascinated, with our natural environment so it was only natural that I would develop this huge hunger to travel.

That and my desire to move away from my home.

Growing up in a household, where I only ever felt alive when I was out in nature, collecting sticks and stones to take back with me, to decorate my room so that I had that sense of really living whilst in my home. Trying so hard to connect the two. Because they felt so disconnected to me, one was a place of fear and the other was where I felt I could be me!

So I wanted to explore the natural world, to deepen my understanding and connection. Of course it does not matter where I am as I carry it with me all the time. Oh but I so wanted to see the jungle, to swim in warm oceans and explore their reefs and to climb mountain ranges. I wanted the freedom to wander and be free.

And I did that, I spend my 20's and my 30's travelling and exploring. Learning and healing, making many mistakes so that I could get to know who I was.

I ran away from my family , I ran away from the pain,, not wanting to deal with it. Trying so hard to get lost in life, so that I could leave that part of my life behind.

But how could I ever become the person I was meant to be, if I did not face the person I was. I went through some dark times and it was my connection to nature that kept me floating, that carried me forward. It was my sanctuary, it nurtured me and allowed me to feel like I belonged.

Living is all about embracing who we are!

Honouring the many parts of ourselves, acknowledging the pain and suffering and seeing it for what it really is!

It is the pillars of our courage and strength, it is the well of our power. We survive these times and yes it feels like we are broken into many pieces, but those pieces are what make us whole.

My well of inner strength is what has propelled me in my life, made me so determined to live the life that I lead.

I am only here because of what I have gone through.

8 Pillars of TribeSteemUp