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This month we focus on the second of the
10 Be's of Positivity - Be You (your authentic self vs.
what others want you to be). Being you is refreshing,
energizing and worth every bit of effort it might
require. Be - You
No one is quite like you, no one's as unique, no one
sounds as you do when you act and when you speak. So be
proud of who you are and cherish all you have to bring;
for what you have to offer is a very amazing thing.
Being YOU -- now doesn't that sound easy? We get up, go
about our day, interact with people - some we know and
some we don't. But how much of our day is spent acting
in a particular way to appease, impress or influence
what others think of us? Some of us spend a good deal of
our time "being" for others. What do the kids need me to
do? How does my partner expect me to act at the company
party? I can't wear bright red -- it will draw too much
attention to myself. It's amazing how many of us aren't
truly being our authentic selves.
Here's a news flash. It's time to stop spending so much
of your time trying to live up to other people's
expectations. I suggest this for several reasons. Trying
to be all of these things to and for other people is
exhausting. Second, you miss out as do the people you
encounter on the wonderful treat of knowing the real
you. You are different from every other person out
there. You owe it to yourself to to share who you really
are. In the end, you will be appreciated for doing so.
If one wanted to see how I express myself, one way to do
so would be to check out my office. I look at it this
way: I spend a lot of time at work so it makes sense
that the space I work in feels comfortable to me. In my
office I have dream catchers on the windows,
affirmations on the walls and if I'm about to call a
challenging client, you may well catch the soothing
scent of a vanilla candle burning.
Another way to honor yourself is to make time for
yourself. I recently took some vacation time, left
Connecticut and headed to Arizona, where I spent a few
days on either end of the trip with my brother and his
delightful friends in Phoenix and spent the rest of my
time with dear friends who recently moved to Sedona.
Sedona is a magical and healing place. I spent time at
the mesas, taking in the vortex energy (I particularly
resonated with the one from which you can see the
Goddess rock). I visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross
and at the Lodge of Sedona, I walked the labyrinth. I
slept in late, ate healthy meals, was in awe of how
beautiful the red rock mountains look at sunset and had
a wonderful time talking, sharing and laughing with
other like-minded people. And I spent time alone, just
reflecting. In other words, I took time just for "me"-
time to be in this beautiful place away from the hectic
traffic of I95, work related telephone calls and my
tendency to so often be doing something productive. This
trip reminded me that spending time doing something for
myself and sometimes by myself can be wonderfully
productive. It gives me clarity, peace of mind and a
sense of calmness and well-being, which for me is
rejuvenating. When was the last time you took quality
time for yourself? What can you do to honor YOU?
Be you and enjoy the rewards you will reap as a result.
Be you because in reality there's no one else you can
truly be. Be you, because if you are not being your
authentic self, it's hard to celebrate your daily
existence. Be you, because you deserve to feel the pure
exhilaration of what being "your true spirit" will
bring. Finding your authentic self may not always be a
smooth journey, but it will be an enlightening one. Know
that in the end you will have much to celebrate.
YOU
ARE WORTH
CELEBRATING
Be You Quotes "The authentic self is the soul made visible"
Sarah Ban Breathnach
"Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate
version of someone else"
Judy Garland
"Authentic values are those by which a life can be
lived, which can form a people that produces great deeds
and thoughts"
Allan Bloom
"Authentic empowerment is the knowing that you are on
purpose, doing God's work, peacefully and harmoniously"
Wayne Dyer
"There's nothing quite like the authenticity that comes
with seeing a real person. You can have a replica
displayed, but it just doesn't have that same emotional
power"
Johan Reinhard
"Live authentically. Live your truth. And if you love me
for anything, love me because I live mine"
Neal Donald Walsch
"There is nothing wrong with you. Be who you are"
Robin Rice The Power of Positivity Is To Give Back A few years ago, on a trip to Central Africa, I became
acquainted with a hard working organization called the
Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, located in Limbe,
Cameroon. The Foundation works to promote peace,
non-violence, social justice and sustainable development
in Cameroon. To assist with their educational efforts, I
started The Words Across The World Book Project. I
collect books and send them to the Foundation who makes
the books available to all in the community, as well as
students located at a University near the Foundation's
office. To learn more about this organization, visit
www.lukmefcameroon.org
. I sit on the International Board of Directors
for this organization and a portion of book sales goes
to support this worthy cause.
YOU are unique, precious, worthy, lovable, awesome and
magnificent.
Believe
in you
and the world will too!
SMILE :)
Daily Affirmation
I celebrate who I am and all I have to offer |
