A Brutal Life Lesson to Freedom
“I don’t think anyone really like me. They like versions of me that I’ve presented to them … versions of me that they’ve created in their minds… versions of me with the characteristics they value and are easy to like. But that’s not who I am. Not really. And this scares me. Who’s going to like the girl that second-guesses herself? The girl that cries in silence and solitude? The girl that’s frightened and losing control? The girl that doesn’t share her problems? The girl that keeps pushing everyone away? Who’s going to like the weakness in me… who’s going to like the real me?”
I wrote those lines in my journal twenty six years ago when I was struggling through my first dance with cancer. What gradually helped and healed me was the realisation that running away from myself was a race I would never win – that the willingness to own my truth and be openly vulnerable about it was the only path through and forward.
Doing this, of course, was not easy – it was one of the most toughest, actually brutal, lessons I’ve learned. And yet, it’s this lesson that ultimately made my life more beautiful, by showing me how to thrive even through the toughest of times…
Being vulnerable means accepting who you are and having the courage to share it with the world. To show up – not as who you think you should be or who you want people to think you are, but as the REAL YOU. This also means being open, honest and receptive to how ever the world responds.
Yes – it’s risky, but not nearly as risky as giving up on true love and honesty and acceptance – the priceless experiences that make us the most vulnerable.
Only when we’re brave enough to explore the dark corners of ourselves will we discover the hidden power of our true inner light.
So please remember: no matter what race, age or sex you are, underneath all your external layers you are a pure, beautiful and unique being. You have light to shine, and missions to accomplish.
Celebrate being different, or off the beaten path, or a little on the weird side, or your own special and unique creation. If you find yourself feeling on the outer or like a fish out of water, find a new stream to swim in!
The bottom line is this: don’t deny yourself… embrace yourself!
Be uniquely YOU in a world that’s trying to influence every move we make.
Take the road less travelled when it feels ‘right’ for you.
Do more than just exist… thrive and be fully alive!
Own yourself.
Own your truth.
And LIVE!
Learn from life and believe in yourself and your own journey again.
In fact, if you only remember two words from this post, let them be: ‘learn’ and ‘believe.’
Learn: learn through your experiences. Learn from others. Remain humble, open-minded and coachable. Open your mind and keep your heart open. Push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone, so you can expand it and grow a little better and more confident with each day.
Believe: believe in yourself and your ability to succeed. Believe in your intuition, especially when you have to choose between two good paths. Believe that the answers are within you – all you have to do is tune ‘in.’ Believe that life will surprise and grow you again and again. Believe that the journey may well be the destination. Believe that it’s all worth your while. Believe that you are capable enough to learn and live more fully.
And of course, if you’re struggling with any of this, know that you are not alone. Many of us are right there with you, working hard to feel better, think more clearly, and get our lives back on track. This is precisely why I’m about to launch my own exclusive membership community and you’re invited to join me.
I also have my first residential retreat happening in April “The Art of Mindful Living”. This program is filled with time-tested steps on how to do just that. And I’m thrilled to let you know that registrations are now OPEN to early access members.
I leave you with these words:
Your uniqueness is your gift to the world.
Burn brightly.
Shine on!
With love,
Want to see how you stack on the Resilience Scale? Sign up and take my complimentary self assessment here.