There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.–Orison Swett Marsden
Authentically You
We’re on this wonderful journey we call life to rediscover who we really are or our authentic self. On the rare occasions that the thought, who am I, even crosses our minds we dismiss it with answers such as, I’m a writer, an entertainer, a doctor, a parent , a teacher, a lawyer.
But those things are not who we are it’s what we do. Who am I is the being that lies at the core, at the level of our very souls. It’s the person we were meant to be the moment we were conceived. It’s a sum of all our unlimited potential, our talents, our knowledge, our faith, our thoughts, our feelings all the things that make us uniquely us.
As children we use our minds and unlimited potential freely and easily to imagine all sorts of things. Nothing seems impossible and we say so. We dream and we dream big until someone, perhaps a parent or teacher tells us to stop dreaming. That it’s just a waste of time, to get our heads out of the clouds so that we can grow up responsible adults and make something of ourselves.
And this is where we start to lose our authentic self. That part of us that makes up what’s uniquely us. And that’s why we can’t answer the simple question, “who am I”? It’s also at this point that we begin to feel the loss of who we are. That something is missing, we feel unfulfilled and nothing can fill the emptiness.
Labeling Ourselves
And as time passes we go on to become all those things we say we are, such as, doctors, lawyers, writers, wives, husbands, and parents. But no matter how many labels we place on ourselves, we still feel incomplete somehow. Like something is missing. Like we’re a bit lost and off our path.
The surest sign that we’re not in touch with our authentic self is that we feel like we’re just going through the motions. We’re unable to express ourselves for fear of what others may think. We’re tied to lives that may make us happy in some respects and leave us feeling numb in others. If we’re completely disconnected from our authentic selves we may even begin to feel soulless, like all our energy has been drained from us.
Reconnecting With You
And, in essence it has. By ignoring our true nature and living the life others expect of us, we’ve lost our connection with our spark of life or the positive side of our self. We’ve allowed our self to connect with negativity and this negativity blocks any and all good energy from coming to us.
In order to reconnect with our authentic self we first have to make the decision to do so and be willing to stick to it. This may be easy or not so easy depending on how much support we have or don’t have. Either way it will take commitment and it will take consistent “work.”
Every last one of us has some passion, some talent that is uniquely ours that calls to us. I know you’ve heard this before but it bears repeating, the first and most crucial thing is, decide what calls to you, what you really do want. Get clear about it. Make sure that you’re passionate about it. There is at least one thing that each of us was meant to do.
Think back to being that imaginative child. Before the labels, when you were still in touch with your authentic self what did you dream about then? Whatever you most imagined is more than likely what you were meant to do.
When you remember this dream does it still stir up good memories? Does it make you happy? If so then you’ve discovered what’s uniquely you. If not, then there’s something else there that will spark your passion.
Letting Go of the Old You
Next be willing to let go of the labels. Let go of any self-limiting beliefs you’ve formed over the many years that you’ve ignored your true calling. And be willing to stop “acting” to please others. It’s true that most of the people in your life may not understand because of their own disconnection with their authentic selves.
But this is where you have to find it in yourself to be strong and know above all else that you’re doing what’s right for you. Start slowly at first but make the pace a bit of challenge so that you don’t give up before you ever really start. You may want to journal some at this point. Sometimes if you write things out they make more sense, but that step is completely up to you.
Begin by thinking of words and phrases that describe who you feel you really are. And that describe who you’d be if there was only you and no one else you feel you have to please. Words like compassionate, passionate, abundant, spiritual, deep, complex, need to help others, fun loving, innovative, explorer, smart, funny, goofy, motivated, inquisitive, peaceful, harmonious, laid back, intuitive, on the ball, happy go lucky, dare devil. Any words or phrases, that you feel describe the real you. Hence the word “feel.”
As your writing or thinking about the real you, you’re looking for words or phrases that call to your soul. That make you feel good about yourself. Now, I know the word goofy may not make everyone feel good about themselves, but it makes me feel good to embrace my goofy side. Be sure to come up with words that call to the real you.
Once you have your list start finding ways to incorporate that part of you into your everyday life. And, when you come against a word or phrase that gives you some resistance then start exploring your self-limiting beliefs to see if they’re playing a part in your resistance of your true self.
Once you can let go of any resistance and begin to accept your true self, then you’ll discover the unlimited potential of who you were meant to be. And from that point on all you have to say is watch out world here I come.
