Mother Nature freely expresses herself every day, and she doesn’t apologize for it. Most of us learn at an early age what we are taught as “good manners”. Good girls are seen, but not heard. Don’t express a different opinion. Never contradict an authority figure, even if they are wrong. And so on, and so on.
Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed and rearranged to relocate us to the place we are meant to be.
– Unknown
Have you ever been in a building like a lighthouse when a really strong storm comes into shore? The whole cliff shudders and shakes. The waves are so strong it can actually tear apart the bedrock foundation of the lighthouse. Sometimes we have so bought into being the story of pretending to be someone else, that we have totally forgotten who we really are. It takes a severe storm to shake up and uproot our life, to bring us back to who we are and what our purpose In life is.
I find the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, help them reveal the greatest version of themselves.
– Dr. Steve Maraboli
I love the writing of Don Miguel Ruiz and his book The Four Agreements. The Four Agreements have more to them than this, but this gives you a taste of them.
Be impeccable with your word – I love how it includes not speaking against yourself. How many times have you called yourself dumb or stupid?
Don’t take anything personally – what people say and do is a projection of their own reality, not yours.
Don’t make assumptions – this is for me the most important thing, as we assume we know what someone else is thinking and they think they know what we are thinking and the truth is that most of the time we are having two totally different conversations.
Always do your best – this is the only way to avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
Tear off the mask Your face is glorious.
– Rumi
Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Don’t let fear convince you that you are less than you really are. What people think about you is really none of your business. What you think about yourself should be your primary concern. Be the best you can be, and when you make a mistake (like we all do) then own it. Clean up anything that needs to be cleaned up and move on. Don’t pack it in your suitcase and carry the weight of it around for the rest of your life. That kind of baggage creates limitations and keeps us in a cage afraid to be who we are. When you have reached the place, where you no longer require validation from others as to who you are, what your gifts are – that is when you become the most feared person on the planet.
If you find yourself asking yourself (and not your friends) Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist? Chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.
– Steven Pressfield
Reveal your authentic essence, the part of you that isn’t watered down. This is what makes you a “one of a kind” authentic original human being. The world, especially the social networking world. will judge you for who you are. So why not just be what makes you happy? Be proud of who you’ve become. Hug yourself with both arms and be passionate about how you live your life.
