Where am I, and where do I belong?

Life is a series of trips we take, away from and back to ourselves. When I am not welcoming myself with loving acceptance, I am finding ways to escape myself. And this is what causes me to feel neglected. It is not others who abandon me; it is I who abandon myself. Or, I fight with myself, and this causes conflict. True freedom lies not in codependency, but in reclaiming the power I’ve had all along. When I give that away, I place my well-being in the hands of others. And when they fail to meet my needs, I blame them, ultimately sending the message that they are responsible for my best interest. I then become out of control - because I gave this to them instead of keeping it for myself. It causes me pain, because I think it is something I can not change. And, in turn, it pushes others away. They run from the guilt that comes from the words I spew out of my mouth when the unfair expectations I place on them are unfulfilled. In reality, the way I feel is something I can change. I am not only able, but I am also willing. This is how I should be living my life, from the inside out. In order to find home, I have to ask myself where I am. When I am not with myself, I am against myself. I must create a comfortable living space within. This is where I belong. Here, I am safe. Here, I am free to be myself authentically. Here, I am whole and at peace. I am meant to venture out into the world, but I must do so while remembering who I am. I must remember that I am. And this is not a perfect process. This is why practice makes progress. Whenever I feel lost, I must remember the deep down is home.