I recently posted a quote on my personal FB page that generated quite a buzz.
I generally post inspirational memes, beautiful photos, or updates on what’s going on, but this one was different.
“I promise you that the discovery of your True Self will feel like a thousand pounds of weight have fallen from your back. You will no longer have to build, protect, or promote any idealized self-image. Living in the True Self is quite simply a much happier existence.” – Richard Rohr
This quote resonated with so many people and generated a discussion both online and offline.
It made me realize something: People really do want to discover who they truly are and live fully from that place.
No pretense. No masks. No faking.
People want to be completely, authentically themselves. Both women AND men.
Here’s a question that keeps coming up for me: If being true to ourselves is what we really want, what’s holding us back from dropping the façade?
Why do we continue to feel we have to measure up to other people’s opinions of who or what we’re “supposed to be?”
I believe we’re all afraid. Fear pushes us to trust outsiders’ opinions more than their own.
Fear of being seen.
Fear of rejection.
Judgment.
Ridicule.
Shame.
Our vulnerabilities are what frightens us most. They cause us to shrink, hide, and pretend to be someone we’re not.
Rather than trust our instincts, our true callings, and our truths, we look outside ourselves to the opinions of others to determine who we should be.
You have one chance to live this life and be fully present as yourself.
Is basing your value on what others think truly how you want to spend this “one precious life” you’ve been given?
Are you going to continue to let your self-worth be determined by another person’s arbitrary notion of who or what they believe you are supposed to be?
When I put it like that, it seems silly to be anything but your True Self, doesn’t it?
Here’s how I see it: You are here to live YOUR life; to embody YOUR true self; to speak with YOUR unique voice; to share YOUR unique gifts.
You are here to be fully YOU.
Not your family’s idea of you; not your peers’ idea of you; not even your spouse’s idea of YOU.
Becoming your True Self is why you are here.
Imagine what you could achieve if you dropped the façade and stepped boldly toward becoming the person you truly want to be.
So when you find yourself in situations where you begin to doubt, ask yourself this question: What does my True Self want to say to me right now? Listen for the answer. I know it might sound a little woo but trust me, your True Self has wisdom for you…always. It’s a matter of consciously asking for it and trusting it.
