Becoming My True Self

What does it mean, "being true to yourself”? For me, it means being honest with myself, my feelings, my truth, and my dreams and desires. It requires that I pay attention and notice when I am making choices and decisions that are out of alignment with my heart and soul. I spent 35 years of my life denying my True Self. I was unconscious to the fact that my decisions and choices were focused on gaining exterior acceptance and approval. I was not going inward to feel and discover what was true for me. It wasn't until I had my wake-up call with cancer that I really wanted to know the answers to those deep soul-filled questions like, Who am I? Why am I here? How can I find my joy? The only place to journey was inward, to feel and discover the answers that would lead me to the enfoldment of my True Self.

Take a moment to reflect and ask your Self the following questions:

Are you living your life authentically? (The dictionary says "authentic" means not false or copied; genuine; real).

Do you compromise your Self for the needs of others?  

Do you hide your True Self in fear of not being accepted?  

Are you doing what you love or are you living your life based on everyone else's expectations?

The following symptoms will appear when you are not being true to who you are. Can you relate to any of these?

You will find your Self lying or fudging the truth because you are fearful of being rejected or judged.  

You will find your Self secretly holding onto your dreams and desires. And you will do just that, hold onto them and not put them into action. 

You will try to be someone you're not or look a certain way, just to fit.

My life has transformed over the past 15 years since my wake-up call. It no longer works for me to be anything but my True Self. I am honest with myself and I am an open book for others to see me. So they can see me for who I am and that means all of who I am. I can no longer hide or lie to myself and, ironically, I can no longer tell lies to others.

After years of self- reflection and self-discovery, I got in touch with my inner happiness, passion, and joy, and, one step at a time, I gave myself permission to live it, in every aspect of my life. I left the cooperate world and followed the calling of my heart and soul. I created a successful business and I am fulfilled and passionate about everything I do. I left a lonely marriage and I found my soul mate. If I go back and reflect on the person I was before my cancer, I would have never imagined that I would have had the courage or strength to live an authentic life.

I am not saying that your whole life needs to change. What I am asking you to do is to reflect on this message and see if there is anything that rings true. I truly believe from experience that if you are true to your Self and you live your life authentically, your magnificence will be revealed. You will create and manifest your true passions, you will be successful, you will love your Self, and you will surround your Self with authentic loving relationships. You will experience more joy and happiness creating a life better than you could ever imagine.

I would like to share with you something my son, Justin, wrote at the age of 14:

As we move forward in life 
we forget who we really are, 
so we try to be someone else, 
but remember you are you 
and you are beautiful 
and so are the people around you.

Your soul wants you to remember …

Your authentic Self will be revealed each and every time you make decisions and choices to love and honor your Self. Your authentic Self will step forward to be seen, felt, and heard. Pay attention and you will know thy Self.

As the inner truth of who you are is revealed and you make decisions and take action according to this truth, then your outer world will reflect all its beauty. You will experience a deeper intimacy with your Self and all those you co-create with. Your purpose will naturally unfold and you will serve in love and connection to the greater whole.

I am me and I am beautiful. 
I choose to be my true Self.

Find out about upcoming programs with Karen Paolino Correia at Kripalu.

Excerpted with permission from A 40 Day Affair with Your Self: A Journey of Self Love and Owning Your Magnificence, by Karen Paolino Correia.