The Real You

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Deep down we are all beautiful beings worthy of love and support. Yet for most of us, the shining essence we brought into this life became obscured over the years as our family and others were unable to give us the kind of unconditional love and support we so craved. As we were repeatedly told that we were not good enough or were punished just for being who we are, thick layers of confusion and doubt developed, clouding our divine essence. Layers of fear and insecurity were woven into our personalities as we learned to survive in a world where others often cared about us only if we made them happy, or when proved ourselves to be someone we were really not. The Mask. By the time we are grown, most of us have developed a protective mask or persona to hide these layers from others, and at times even from ourselves. Though we might outwardly appear happy or content, on the inside most of us to varying degrees feel unhappy with who we are, wishing we were somebody we are not. We feel the heavy burden of the fears, wounds, and insecurities which have built up. We long ago lost touch with that beautiful, shining core still inside of us, buried under unseen layers of fear, anger, guilt, shame, confusion, insecurity, inadequacy, and more. Yet that shining essence is still there. It has always been there. Most of us have had peak experiences at some point in our lives where that deeper essence broke through; times where we felt deeply satisfied about our lives, or where we were reminded of who we really are. No matter how much we may have forgotten, no matter how thick those layers may be, our shining core has always been there. Accepting and Understanding Ourselves. You can choose right now to invite that beautiful inner essence to shine through the clouds and to shine again in your life. By doing your best to accept and understand all of who you are—both your deep shining essence and the layers of dark clouds within—you can open more fully to life, and enjoy the gift of who you are. When fears, dark thoughts, difficult emotions, or selfish desires arise, first choose to accept that they are there, that they are a part of you. Once you’ve recognized and accepted them, work towards understanding these dark clouds and where they came from. And don’t forget to ask for divine guidance and what’s best for all as you open to exploring and transforming these dark and hidden places. By choosing acceptance and understanding of all parts of ourselves, the clouds gradually begin to shift and disperse. Pathways to our core begin to open, thus allowing our radiant inner essence to shine through. Courage. It takes courage to accept and work to understand our fears and weaknesses. It takes even more courage to allow others to see the clouds, to see us as we really are. Yet by allowing ourselves to be seen, by doing our best to be fully ourselves in all our strengths and weaknesses, our relationships can grow richer, deeper, and more meaningful. This may be awkward at first. It may be challenging, as some people cannot accept certain parts of who we are. Some may reject us or ask us not to be our real selves with them. Yet as people see us becoming more real and honest with them, they may also be inspired to be more real and honest with us. Thus, instead of continually avoiding or denying those clouds or dark layers in both ourselves and others, we open to a deeper, more authentic way of living and relating with others. Accepting and Understanding All of Me. As these hidden parts of ourselves are accepted and understood, they become increasingly lighter. Life gradually becomes fuller and more free as we no longer have to expend so much energy in supporting a mask or persona. Like that insightful middle-aged man, we are more able to accept and enjoy who we are right now, with all our strengths and weaknesses. Accepting and Understanding All Around Me. As you develop greater acceptance and understanding of yourself, you will notice that others, too, have many layers clouding their divine essence. In trying to survive in this world, they too have lost touch with who they really are. There is darkness and light, good and bad in all of us. As you work to accept and understand yourself, it is most important that you choose also to give this gift to those around you.