Embracing and Living Your TRUTH!
Please note that a portion of this article was originally published on my website www.charliiestruth.com, and was then shared on Medium for a broader audience. Shoutout to previous embodiments of me, for the gems.
No matter what age we are, we have the potential to succumb to the pressure of being socially acceptable and living a life that someone else has envisioned for us, or what we believe to be expected of us.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
I remember getting all the things I thought I wanted (the car, career, my own apartment, living in a new state, college education, money to travel), only to find myself in deep depression realizing this “does not make me happy.” Material things are not making me happy. These worldly accumulations were not keeping me happy. This life I created… was not inspiring happiness, and in fact, it was nothing like what I truly saw for myself.
I had never envisioned myself retiring from a job, working a traditional 9 to 5, or getting married and having a family, and yet, that was the only life I knew to create, until I got visions of something different. Something more. A vision that lit me up…
I remember the saying, “Do what you have to do, until you can do what you want to do.”
Like, why the fxck would I do that?!
I am not even sure I’ll live that long, so why choose to utilize the time I do have, doing things that did not feel good for me?
Things that did not align.
What I have learned during this time on earth, is that there are many ways to get to a destination. And I want to encourage us to find our unique way.
Journey on your unique path.
Pave the way for your purpose to unfold.
You can do that by embracing your unique design and living out your true nature.
Allow yourself to be guided from the inside, and not primarily by the voices or reactions (applause or critiques) outside of you!
This is an offering to our soul. Offering to our remembrance. And a celebration of being courageous enough to be the different you were born to be!
Cheers to the season of EMBRACING AND LIVING YOUR TRUTH!! For years I have been using the phrase, “live in your truth.” Throughout the years, I had not explained what that meant or attempted to define it. The phrase came to me unexpectedly, and as someone who has aimed to live their most authentic life, it just VIBED.
When it comes to understanding the phrase, live in your truth, the meaning can be one thing for you, and another thing for someone else.
It had been a while since I sat down and considered what it meant for me.
However, this past week I was motivated to write up a blurb about what it meant to Embrace and Live MY TRUTH. Additionally, I found myself motivated to create my own life title or rather, life mission statement.
As I reflected on my journey and wrote up the blurbs, I decided I wanted to recommit myself to this journey. The journey of embracing and living my TRUTH.
At one time, it was about me sharing my post-law school journey, at another time it was about the highs and lows of life, and now, it’s about the lifelong journey of self-discovery or perhaps, the journey of remembrance.
Regardless of what season we find ourselves in, we can always choose to embrace and live our TRUTH!
What does it mean to embrace and live in your TRUTH?
Absolute Truth requires that we let go of our perspectives (thoughts, interpretations, labeling, likes, dislikes, beliefs, narratives, etc). It would require that we stop trying to understand and explain everything. In addition, it would require that we accept that all things are a part of the unified whole and that our thoughts and beliefs are what break things into fragments.
It is our thoughts and perspectives that separate and cause these individual experiences, and existence, that separate it from the TRUTH (the oneness and wholeness of which we are all part of).
Yeah, it’s a lot to take in.
The bottom line is that ABSOLUTE TRUTH would require that we accept everything as it is, no labels, no narratives -– just letting it be what it is. As much as that is what many of us wish to accomplish, I think it’s fair to say that for most of us, it would be a lifelong journey to master that; if at all possible.
So, instead of that standard and aim (PRESSURE BE GONE). I say embrace and live YOUR truth, NOW…
Embrace your knowledge and the fact that you are NOT your thoughts!
Embrace your experience, and know that you are not your emotions.
Embrace the feminine and masculine energy within.
Embrace that things and circumstances are what they are.
Embrace that you’ve made choices that you perceived to be a mistake. (but were they, really? -_-)
Embrace that some of life’s lessons will be presented to you more than once.
Embrace your humanity.
Embrace every part of you; where you are. As you are.
Embrace that you’re on this journey of self-discovery and some seasons you will feel like you have it all together, while others may feel like you can’t seem to catch a break.
It’s taking in the light and dense aspects of you.
It’s loving your shadows as you bring them to the light.
It’s being in the present moment, in gratitude and truth.
It’s acknowledging that life is happening for you (not to you).
It’s unapologetically advocating for Self.
It’s unapologetically embracing your unique soul journey and love story
with God (the Divine, Source, University, whatever term resonates).
It’s being.
“Every thought implies a perspective, and every perspective, by its very nature, implies limitations, which ultimately means that it is not true, at least not absolutely.”
— Eckhart Tolle
I DECIDED WHO I WAS. I DECIDE WHO I AM.
I have been on this journey of embracing and living my truth for over 5 years. In October 2018, I decided to officially proclaim myself as the Ambassador of Shamelessly Embracing & Living Your Truth
I am self-proclaiming myself as this ambassador BECAUSE I CAN.
It was my way to honor my soul’s mission and acknowledge how much I valued freedom of expression, individuality, purpose, autonomy, and fun….
I believe in each of us being who/what we were created to be, even if that is not a fixed identity (I am everything, yet nothing).
I added the word shamelessly to represent the act of embracing and living our truth in a transparent way, without apology, and APPARENT.
We stand in our humanity.
The days of hiding our truth. Hiding what we care about.
Hiding what makes us unique… is behind us.
OR, THEY WILL BE (because we’re on a journey heading that way).
We get to express Loudly & Proudly!!
I AM THE AMBASSADOR of shamelessly embracing and living your truth.
WHO ARE YOU?
So here is an invitation to you…
I did not know this is where the article was heading… but, here we are…
If you were to be crowned the Ambassador of your TRUTH, what would that be? What might it express? What would be valued?
Would you be the Ambassador of Compassion? Of Gratitude? Of Joy?
From my lens, to be an ambassador of our truth means embodying and actively promoting authenticity, individuality, compassion, and genuine self-expression. It involves:
Living Authentically: Demonstrating authenticity in our actions, decisions, and interactions, staying true to our values and beliefs.
Embracing Individuality: Celebrating and embracing the unique qualities, perspectives, and experiences that make each person distinct.
Encouraging Self-Expression: Creating a supportive environment that encourages others to express themselves openly without fear of judgment or societal expectations.
Fostering Inclusivity: Acknowledging and respecting diverse truths, recognizing that everyone’s journey is unique, and promoting inclusivity in understanding different perspectives.
Leading by Example: Serving as a role model by sharing our own stories, challenges, and growth, inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.
Rejecting Conformity: Challenging societal norms and expectations that may stifle individuality, promoting the idea that everyone has the right to define and live by their own truth.
Cultivating Empathy: Developing a deep understanding and empathy for others’ truths, fostering a sense of connection and shared humanity.
Creating Positive Change: Using our authenticity to contribute positively to the world, whether through personal relationships, professional endeavors, or community involvement.
Advocating for Freedom of Expression: Supporting and advocating for the freedom of expression, both for ourselves and others, recognizing it as a fundamental aspect of living authentically.
Being Mindful and Intentional: Approaching life with mindfulness and intention, making conscious choices that align with our truth and contribute to the well-being of ourselves and those around us.
Being an ambassador of our truth is an ongoing commitment to personal growth, self-discovery, and creating a world where authenticity is valued and celebrated.
BUT that might not be your truth… that may not be your lens… so I ask again…
If you were to be crowned the Ambassador of your TRUTH, what would that be?
Please share it in the comments!
May this season of your life be filled with ease, flow, and expansion in ways you never imagined. May you enjoy a blessed life. May you allow the true nature of who you are to be EXPOSED.
I love you.
xx
Charliie