…making authentic self choices…

Society teaches us what we “should” do, how we “should” react, and how we “should” feel. It just happens as we grow up. However, with encouragement of our parents, family, and friends around us, we can gain the courage to do/react/feel how our authentic self genuinely guides us. This is our individual path, journey through this life.

In recent conversations with dear friends, the phrase “…I know I shouldn’t feel this way…” or “…I’m not a ___ , but…” and then they go on to describe how they feel and it IS what they prefaced saying they weren’t. Having a friend that can give honest reflection feedback is essential to building the courage to face our own shadow self; therefore challenging societies teachings. It’s challenging to reflect honestly, on ourselves. And then when we are shown that honesty, we tend to fill ourselves with guilt for not aligning with societies teachings. Or force ourselves to align with societies teachings, pushing down our authentic self, resulting in disingenuous results. These reactions stunt our growth as individuals. Eventually we lose insight to who our AUTHENTIC SELF is!

As we continued with our discussions, we started the process of navigating through those parts of the shadow self, in hopes of bringing it back into the light. When I asked my friends, “What do you LIKE to do?” the response is mostly “I don’t know anymore.”, or a “thoughtful, blank stare” followed by “nothing”. We go back through memories in order to start the process of figuring it out. We all have experiences in our past that prepare us to move forward. However, if we lose sight of what we HAVE or don’t learn life lessons as they present, we can’t move forward; just “spinning our wheels” repeating the lesson over and over. It’s similar to trying to finish a puzzle, in the dark, when some of the pieces are on the floor and lost/forgotten. Then just sitting in the dark with the puzzle in front of us, just staring at it, wondering how to fill the missing pieces/empty space.

Now that I’ve had the opportunity to circle back to working in the restaurant business. It reminded me of where I was, what I have, and how I changed my vibration. Living life as a nomad has it’s struggles, stressors, and uncertainty. However, using tools of problem solving, critical thinking, and “out of the box” thinking has enriched my authentic self, giving me the courage to keep going. I was also reminded of how I was “stuck on the track of my misery” in a job I hated, spending my life in survival mode. It’s hard to change that vibration once you just accept it, suffer, compromise happiness. It’s complicated by having human children to consider. The entire shift doesn’t happen overnight, it’s constantly challenged with obstacles. Then starts the cycle of facing these seemingly HUGE obstacles with nothing but exhaustion. The exhaustion from survival mode. Then comes excuses/all the reasons “why” you can’t make changes. Frankly, we’re just too tired to fight. The “spinning of wheels”/cycle continues… My hope is I can shine a light that reminds everyone reading this, to challenge themselves, make hard choices, do the work of navigating through the shadow self, as this work rewards you with the Bliss we ALL deserve in this life.

Looking deep within ourselves, shining a light on what we have, helps to give us a Balance to our lives. A balance between shadow self and authentic self. Sometimes this means making hard choices, going with the “unpopular” choice.

…Sending Blessings of Love and Light to everyone. May you all feel the love that gives you the courage to reflect honestly, honor your strength, and shine a light on those pieces …