Oh the things that we say to ourselves, in the quiet of our imaginings and hopes, dreams and longings; those places that we don't invite others for fear of judgment are where we can typically find our own truth of Self.

I debated as to whether or not I was going to post this one. This episode was recorded back in Feb. of this year (2023) and as I've said in other episodes, I'd not yet found my "footing", as it were. As a result, as I listened to it, I thought of what I was thinking back then and my fear that if I really and truly shared, would it be looked at as too personal, too passe, too something-to-be-looked-down-upon; it was truly a long and tiresome day.

I am posting it because, and many of you are aware of this, I committed to sharing my truth and that truth is not always "on". There are times when you're simply, tired.

But it's worth it.

We're worth it.

What are you living? What are you truly living?

Who's defined you life for you? Who is deciding and determining what is or is not the joy that this life of yours can be?

If we are unwilling to be honest with ourselves, then we have no rational justification to expect that others must be honest with us. For in telling ourselves lies, we thusly do unto others what we do unto ourselves, they are merely the physical expression of the thoughts and feelings (beliefs) that we carry about and for ourselves. Ignorance of this law does not make us immune to the consequences/rewards, results - the law is impartial and wholly non-punitive. Or, said another, people and circumstances reflect back to us how we truly feel about ourselves. And for those of you that feel that this is somehow a statement akin to “victim blaming”, then I would offer that you sincerely reconsider what is being said here.

If we have, in our mind and heart, tried to create, whether consciously (knowingly aware) or otherwise, a world that is false, that does not truly represent who we are (or even who desire to be), then it is going to be reflected back to us in the experiences and people that we encounter. That is why I am so militant in sharing with you the truth that you must, however uncomfortable it may be, begin to allow yourself the freedom to explore who you are and whether or not you care for and like who you discover. If you do not, then you may expect to encounter more of the same.

I suppose that many of us have had those days where we have our proverbial asses handed to us. Whether through a car that won’t start, or a bill that somehow gets missed and not paid, or that one coworker that just seems to know all the emotional buttons to push.

Today, and this is not something that I tend to acknowledge publicly now, and yet today, I think it somewhat appropriate to share with you all here.

‘They” don’t get to decide our joy.Ever.

At some point, some of us will be "fortunate" enough to celebrate the truth that we are not victims of circumstances, no matter "real" it may feel and appear to be in the moment.

But please know, this is not something that is typically understood overnight, let alone applied in our lives.

Do we really allow ourselves to get real, then be real, and then, stay real?