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A couple years ago I was getting dressed for my 30 year high school class reunion.  As I was looking at myself in the mirror, blasting in my head was “Allow me to re-introduce myself” from Jay Z’s song, Public Service Announcement.

As these lyrics became louder and louder in my head, I opened my mouth and said them out loud… “Allow me to re-introduce myself……to ME, Sheri Riley.”

In that moment, I felt like I was meeting the me I’ve always wanted to be.

In my 30 year pursuit of my dreams and goals, I realized, in some ways, I had become disconnected from me.

I was always in pursuit of what I believed would be a great addition to me – more money, better access, deeper relationships, excellent parent, etc.

Everything about me was something external – Mom, entrepreneur, speaker, friend, wife, Life Strategist….

During this weekend of enjoying my friends from high school, I took an honest look at my dreams and hopes as a high school student.  I accepted I am the ME I’ve always wanted to be.  I can stop chasing.  I can stop pursuing.  I can stop wanting.

I still have big dreams.  I am still working as hard as ever.  I still want more for me, my family, and my community.  But I don’t have to live outside of who I am to accomplish any of those things.  Everything I need is inside of me.

Brene Brown says it best, “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”

This really summed it up for me.

Since I was 15 years old, I have been focused and driven to get to the place that I am right now.  And for that, I applaud myself.

But this drive and focus, has also allowed me to get disconnected from the essence of who I am.  A woman of faith who loves unconditionally, trusts whole heartily, bounces back quickly, and lives fully.

In this moment of hearing Jay Z rap “Allow me to re-introduce myself….”, getting dressed, looking at myself…. I began to dance. I laughed and I danced. I realized I didn’t have to keep pursuing what was already in front of me.

Everything I need is inside of me. My ability to live in peace, laugh, heal, forgive, achieve, and celebrate are all inside of me.  And everything YOU need is inside of YOU!!!

I danced some more.

There’s a freedom that overtakes you when you dance naked in the mirror.

Allow me to re-introduce myself….  I am Sheri Riley and I am FREE to BE ME.

Next week I will share Part 2…..

About the Author  

Sheri Riley

Sheri Riley

Empowerment Speaker, Life Strategist, Author

I am a wife, mother, daughter, and entrepreneur and we all know this is not easy, but I’ve discovered how to make it simple. As an Empowerment Speaker and Life Strategist, I work with busy individuals, like us, on how to and make choices that lead to more peace, less stress, and better clarity. My book, Exponential LivingStop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are (Penguin Random House) provides practical tools and serves as the guide to help high achievers to integrate our personal desires into our life without detriment to our professional achievement. It is available now for pre-order on ExponentialLiving.com and on sale February 7, 2017.

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