TRUTH

I'm participating in this year's A-Z challenge, and so will be posting daily about a subject focusing on a letter of the alphabet.

I was totally blown away the other day when I read the following passage from Eckhart Tolle:

“What a liberation to realize that the “voice in my head” is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.” 

All my life, I've listened to that voice tell me bad things about myself. That I'm not pretty, that I'm stupid,  that I'm not loving, that I'm not kind, that I'm not as good as anyone else. I believed this voice inside my head. After all, it was the "real me" being honest, right? I knew the hidden, dark side to my soul, right? I knew the reality of who I am, right? That voice was right, right?

Even though....
People had never run screaming from me in revulsion when I walked into a room.

Even though....
I graduated from one of the top 10 journalism schools in the nation.

Even though....
It gave me great joy to help others, and I'd been involved with numerous charitable activities over the years.

Even though....
I helped the homeless, volunteered at schools and church, stood up for the voiceless, and was there for  friends and those I don't know.

Even though....
I had been successful in so many endeavors.

That voice was right, right?? Right???

So I felt absolutely thunderstruck when I read that quote. What if that voice -- WHAT IF -- it really wasn't who I was?? What if I really wasn't the "bad" person I was always telling myself was the real me? What if.....????

My world shifted. Something cracked open. Light broke through.

TRUTH.

I am a good and decent person. 

I love.

I am.

Truth.

I will no longer hide it.

I will live it.

NAKED

I'm participating in this year's A-Z challenge, and so will be posting daily about a subject focusing on a letter of the alphabet.

When I started my blog, I pledged to myself that I'd always give you the unvarnished truth. That means sometimes that I have to admit to things that I'd rather not share. If I've had a great race, or had a fun time, or eaten some great meal, or found a product I love, I let you know. But if I completely failed at some effort, or have had something really tragic or horrible happen, I share that too.

That means I often feel like I'm totally exposed. After all, I've never met most of you -- many of us have only Facebook or blogging relationships. I think these friendships are no less sincere than those I have in my "real" life. But still, I often feel I'm putting myself -- my feelings, my soul -- at risk when I'm so transparent. But if I'm not honest, then what's the point of writing down the storeis of my life? I place myself in your hands. I trust. I'll always give you the naked truth.