“The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” – Lao Tzu
When someone wants to know who we are, do we tell them what they want to hear? or tell them who we are and what we believe in?
As we get older we become more confident about who we are and how we relate to others but is there still a part of us that we hide for fear of rejection?
Often when we are unsure of our potential, we create a mind-made self as a substitute for our beautiful divine being. When we define ourselves from past experiences or future hopes, we sometimes forget the power of who we can be in this moment.
Sometimes we have to lose ourselves before we find out who we are.
When we know who we are, there is an abiding sense of peace. There is freedom and joy in our life because we are not fighting against who we are meant to be. When we believe we have to act a certain way with others or prove to others we are something else, we lose our energy and vitality because it takes so much energy to fight against it.
Over many years I have shed many layers of myself to find my inner truth and an understanding of who I am. It has been letting go of beliefs that are not true and not allowing the approval of others to keep me trapped into a corner just to keep the peace.
Making decisions in life that is right for us takes courage and it is often uncomfortable and stressful in the beginning. When we commit to living a life that is completely our own, what happens or doesn’t happen will not be important anymore. Our life will lose its heaviness, seriousness and fear.
Stepping out into the unknown and letting go of our old patterns and thoughts will help us discover our true-self. Being who we really are, cannot be given or taken away from us. Being in its fullness, is already within us.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
I’d simply add… “A lot of times we have to lose ourselves…” 🙂
Yes so true, thankyou Eric. Overtime, I have had to let go of a lot of layers to find my true self.
Karen
I am going through the ‘shedding’ part right now. It can be quite painful. However, as you say, it is necessary to lose the old self first before we can find the new one (or the real one). Your words are quite a comfort to me. Thanks.
Yes Elizabeth, our divine self is waiting to be discovered, it’s just waiting patiently for us to shed our past, which I agree is hard to do. Just know, you are not alone in this process and it does get easier.
Karen
Well written Karen! What a place to be; to be comfortable in your own skin and honest and direct about who you are! 😀
Diana xo
Thanks Diana, yes apparently it happens when we are about 95yrs old! ha
Karen
LOL that’s only funny because there’s truth to it Karen!
You speak my truth :). It often takes a challenging event for us to see ourselves beyond the roles we have in life and to start shedding.
Val x
Thanks Val, lets bring on the shedding so we can be free to do and be our true divine self!
Karen
Excellent, Karen.
“And, the truth shall set you free.”
Keep in search of it..
-Alan
The truth does set us free! Thankyou Alan.
Karen
“already within us” Yes. Much truth. But of course! Strange it took so long to remember.
Blessings and love to you –
Laurie
Thankyou Laurie, yes I agree “Why does it take us so long to remember”.
Blessings to you also.
Karen
Thank you. ❤