Exploring 3 reasons why you should immerse in your truth unapologetically!
There is no reason that you should hold back your truth unless you're stuck in a cycle of pleasing people and/or unaware of what your truth is. Immersing in your truth is the ability to speak your truth authentically, with kindness and compassion, while honoring both negative and positive feelings without self-judgment. A challenge that comes along with speaking your truth is that not everyone is going to agree with you. We all have relationships in our lives that we value and sometimes we listen to others who we prioritize as important or influential.
What you may be ignoring is that you are evolving and outgrowing ways that are no longer in alignment with who you want to be. What others may have a hard time accepting and realizing is that you are an evolving being. What you may have a hard time accepting is that change is going to occur whether you want it to or not. Also, you cannot control time and cannot control others. All you can do is control yourself and trust your process. It's not easy but you are WORTH it!
Here are three reasons why you should immerse in your truth:
1. Your feelings matter. If you don't honor them, who will?
Let me tell you a little secret... when we react based on the emotions that tend to leave us in motion, literally, we may miss a chance to respond from a state of peace and clarity. When an event happens (a disagreement, an argument, a misunderstanding, etc.) our thoughts are going, there are mixed emotions and our bodies have many sensations. At times, we just want to be far removed from the situation and/or people as much as possible. Or other times we react by saying or doing something that may add more fuel to a fire and before you know it things are out of control. The goal is to respond from a state of peace and not take personally what someone says to you because it's not about you, it's about them.
We all have judgments, opinions, expectations, and standards that from time to time may not be in alignment with someone else's. And that's okay! Your emotions are a signal - a message received in form of a body sensation (stomach flutter, heart beating faster, sweaty palms, body heating up, etc.) that indicates attention to a need or request. This need or request is based on a judgment/opinion about an event (conversation and/or action) that has taken place. In any communication obstacle that occurs being open to controversy with civility and compassion is key. Two different opinions can take place at the same time and be right at the same time for each person based on them being the expert of their own experience. Finding a way to actively listen to each other without the need to impose or project "an expectation" onto the other is imperative.
It is important, to be honest with yourself about how you truly feel and communicate your needs respectfully. We can only control ourselves. Nobody can read your mind. Honoring your feelings by speaking your truth with integrity, kindness, and compassion regardless of an intended outcome is a perfect example of immersing in your truth. The goal is not about having someone agree with you or altering your truth to honor what someone else believes. It's about moving in integrity and doing what is right by being honest about how you feel and being your authentic self.
Take a moment to reflect on these questions below:
Are you aware of the sensations in your body when you react to something that was said or done to you?
Have you ever taken action on a decision and learned you made a mistake due to a false or premature judgment/opinion?
Have you considered your inner voice and the story looping in your head about an event that has taken place? Were you able to identify any clarifications you needed to ensure your perception was accurate?
Have you ever noticed the facts being overpowered by opinions when observing a conflict between two or more people?
Emotion can be the enemy, if you give into your emotion, you lose yourself. You must be at one with your emotions, because the body always follows the mind. - Bruce Lee
2. Holding in your truth causes you more harm than others.
The pressure that you place on yourself to "protect" others from the truth does not provide people in your life with an opportunity to respect your boundaries. It does not provide them with clear instructions on how to support you. By holding in your truth, you are denying yourself the right to honor your voice & needs. Also, it does not allow you to embrace your truth authentically if you are worried about what others are going to think. What is important is being aware of your emotions (energy in motion) and being honest with yourself about what you need at any given moment. Being honest with others requires you to be honest with yourself. Being dishonest with ourselves cultivates the energy of being dishonest with others.
What you believe impacts how you feel. What you feel impacts how you think. What you think will have an impact on the decision you'll make. The decision you make will be the actions you take. The actions you take will manifest a result. That result can be what you perceive as negative, positive, or neutral. Ultimately, the best decision is made when you honor your truth, uphold your integrity and show compassion and kindness towards yourself and others. Yes, you cannot control "how" someone will react or respond to you but you can and have a right to communicate how you feel.
Take a moment to reflect on these questions below:
Recall a time when you did not speak your truth. What have you endured, allowed, or tolerated when you didn’t speak your truth?
Does your expression (verbal and non-verbal) match your inner experience?
How can you speak about your feelings and inner experience clearly so that others understand?
How can you notice what you're actually feeling and experiencing at the moment?
When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak. - Audre Lorde
3. Liberate your voice and in turn, you Liberate others.
Sometimes we are looking for an example outside of ourselves to show us that we can show up as our authentic selves and be who we want to be. We can be inspired, motivated, and in awe of someone else's talents and gifts without comparing and measuring ourselves based on how we perceive their life. The truth is we can never replicate every step exactly how someone else has to achieve the outcome they had. You have your own unique path and with each experience, there is an insight to be gained and unlocked that will support you in gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. Becoming your own cheerleader and cultivating your talents and gifts without judgment and comparison to someone else is vital. Life is meant to be explored as a journey, not a competition.
When you begin to take the action steps to show up as your full authentic self living and honoring your truth, you in turn will inspire others to do the same in their life. You have within you the ability to step into your power, immerse in your truth and be your authentic self.
What makes you feel passionate and excited? Who inspires you to explore something new? What does it feel like when you complete something you're passionate about?
These types of questions can help you get in touch with your authentic voice. It might sound cheesy but it really does begin with you. It's okay to be inspired by others but remember you have to be the change you want to see.
Take a moment to reflect on these questions below:
What does 'liberation' mean to you?
What would my life look like if I was completely involved in a project that I loved?
What would my life look like if I were liberated from fear?
How can I best use my time and talents to contribute to positive and sustainable transformation in myself and in my connections with others at this moment?
To liberate yourself from your own self-judgment is to liberate others from it as well. To love yourself is an act of love for the world. - Vironika Tugaleva