In my practice with one on one clients, I noticed an interesting common thread, one that saddens me and, at the same time, feeds the fire in my soul for the work I do. What's that thread? Most of the women I've seen can't see who they really are.
Mind you, most of them are, like me, spiritual women who if asked the question, "Who are you, really?" could easily and comfortably respond with some form of the phrase, "I'm a daughter of God," among other beautiful, lofty things. If they would answer that question in that way, why do I say they can't see who they really are? Why does it even matter?
It matters because -
VISION IS POWERFUL. - Seeing past all the stuff of mortality can draw us toward the truth of eternity.
HOLDING YOURSELF IN A SACRED PLACE DRAWS YOU INTO THAT SPACE. - Sometimes little by little, sometimes by huge leaps. When we can see who we really are, it's much easier to be who we really are.
IT AFFECTS OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, especially toward ourselves, when we have a clear image of the possibilities.
So, these women - these strong, compassionate, loving, wise, powerful women - break my heart when I ask them to describe who they are, in their purity, and they struggle severely or can't do it at all. I even had a client who, after a few weeks of not completing the assignment to journal this type of self-description, challenged me. She said something like, "I should make you to do this. Could you do it?" Her question showed me that not only could she not see herself this way, she doubted that anyone could. Isn't that tragic?
Why do they hate this assignment so much? Why is it so hard?
I get that it can be a painful question to consider since so many of us feel like we're so much less than we could be. It can highlight the vast chasm between who we feel we are now and who we think we "should" be.
It also confronts head-on any deeply held (even buried) beliefs we may have about our lack of worth. We might be able to imagine this magnificent version of ourselves and whole-heartedly want to believe that's who really are. But then our deepest fears coming rushing up asking, "What if that's not true? What if that's not really me?" But, sweetheart, what if it is?
Why it's so important, vital even, to be able to envision who we truly are -
When we can see this it allows us to -
- stop fighting against who we think we are supposed to be and relax into who we really are
- understand that we deserve grace. There's no need to expect perfection from ourselves. We're human. We're progressing. Let's put away the harsh judgment.
- gain appreciation for the beauty of now. We can afford to relax and breathe as we continue to make our way through life, understanding that all things can work together for our good.
Now, if I were to ask you to describe your purest self, could you do it?
Can you look through all the disappointment, the hurt, the false beliefs about who you are or "should" be that you've picked up along the way? Can you open your eyes and heart to see the simple, powerful essence of you?
I invite you to try. Let the junk come up. Feel the pain and let it go. Lean into the fear and release it. Let the tears flow, if needed. Stop the fighting. Drop the protective walls. See her. Allow yourself to not fully embody her yet, to just be where you are - and know that's okay. But know, too, that she's in you. You are her, just as sure as bud is the flower or the tiny seed is the towering tree.
You are a person of Divine Nature. Can you see, feel, and truly own that?
