Being True To Yourself
As a child we had no hesitation about saying what was in our head or asking for what we wanted. Yet as we become adults we loose that transparency and genuineness of soul. We get busy with pursuing our materialistic goals. We put aside our wants and get focused on being "successful". Yet deep inside of each of us is that yearning to be set free like a child. The religionist and moral crusaders preach to us what is right and wrong, and in the interest of being accomplished in business and accepted in society, we have a tendency to cover up who we really are. We dare not speak up our true thoughts for fear of being thought of as too radical, not enough in the mainstream to be a good ... (fill in what it is you do for a living). Yet we still think differently. All of us have fantasies and passions that we would not dare open up and tell the world. We do those things privately or with a few trusted friends, so we can feel safe as we open up and explore. Living true to yourself can be a very tall order. Being who you really are and simply living your life with honesty is not as easy as it seems. So how do we do it? We have to stop living life as if we are in a fish tank being observed by everyone in the world. One certainly may consider others and be careful to not non-consensually involve others in our bents, but at the same time one has to decide to truly love themselves enough to be selfish about certain things. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, you have to do what is best for you in the long run. No matter what the cost, we have to live for #1. One of the most painful moments in my life was some years ago when my family became aware of my bents, compliments of the ex-wife. My 3 sisters have not spoken to me since. It cost me a lot to live my life with authenticity. My own two children would not hardly have anything to do with me for a couple of years, but then the three of us found an authenticity to our relationship, and I dare say I think I have one of the finest relationships a father can have with his adult children. It's all on the table now. But it wasn't easy getting there. Living with a genuiness regardless of what family and friends think can only come when we have loved ourselves enough to be comfortable and strong with our own personal power. Don't be forced into a lifestyle, a job, or other personal endeavors just because it is what is expected. Go after what you want and truly need. Live in your own uniqueness and with your authentic self. No games. Live so that all that you do is a reflection of who you really are.
~Tatu |