Celebrating Authenticity, Self-Love, Kindness and Inclusivity

For much of my life I have felt different and like I didn’t fit into the mould created by society. I became much like the chameleon. I would adjust my colours with a view that I might be seen as ‘normal’ and fit in with everybody else. It came from a fear of being rejected, outcast or abandoned. The truth is I had learned to abandon myself; all to become the person I thought others wanted me to be.

Although good things have happened throughout my life; rejection and failure has also been quite a common recurring theme. I could have given up and given in. I could have allowed depression and anxiety to take over and devour me whole. Instead, I recognised that I have the power to either create something beautiful or allow the darkness to engulf me.

Life has this way of sending us the lessons we need to learn. We either embrace them as lessons, or we look outside of ourselves to others to fix our problems. Even though I walked a rough road, I have also gone through some quite major growth and transformation.

I have always held this deep inner desire to make a difference.

My specific interests lie in psychology, philosophy, spirituality, morality, equality, ethics, freedom, and self-growth.

My previous desire to be seen as ‘normal’ while at the same making a difference, manifested as people pleasing type behaviours and co-dependency. I have so often lost myself in many types of relationships (not necessarily romantic). But we can choose to learn from our experiences and grow from them; which is what I have chosen to do.

My main goal is to encourage people to leave any form of people pleasing at the door, and step into their authenticity and truth. If we go about life wearing a false mask of who we are and what we stand for, are we truly living? My greatest desire is to teach people to drop the façade; and become their raw and most beautiful and authentic self, without apology.

There are a couple of issues with this though:

• Many people carry with them wounds from their past. When lessons are sent and a person chooses not to look at them, the issues are compounded. While we might think we can hide our trauma and deep-seated wounds, they have this habit of showing up in our lives in not so helpful ways when they are not properly addressed and healed.

• When a person goes through major growth and transformation it brings the yuck to the surface and so can cause short-term imbalance in their life. Often as people try and work on their issues, they will dip their toe in, and then run as fast as they can in the other direction – it can be scary to look at what needs to be looked at. Fear of the icky and unknown is very real.

There are many who walk through life in an unconscious state, and some have a strong sense of entitlement. If we constantly look to others for love, acceptance, and validation it can lead to toxic, co-dependent, competitive and fear-based relationships. And fear is the barrier to love. To look outside of ourselves and expect others to fix our problems isn’t all that helpful; and can hold us back from healing and self-growth.

I have been observing so many going through a massive amount of self-growth because of the trauma of the past few years. Our triggers show us where we need to heal. If we are ready to start looking at them as a blessing, then we can undergo a true transformation.

Sometimes our lessons make way for our most beautiful and powerful gifts. Following are some things I know that I can help others with, not only in 2022 – but way beyond that:

• Finding self-love, self-acceptance, and self-worth.
• Pushing past those fears of what people might think; and pushing towards their goals.
• Finding the courage to be raw, real, and authentic.
• Letting go of the fear of failure and rejection.
• Finding stability within self, even amongst the chaos.
• Leaving enabling and people pleasing behaviours at the door.
• Letting go of toxic, co-dependent, fear-based and competitive relationships. Understand the role ego plays.
• Living consciously and with purpose.
• Leaving behind fear, anxiety, depression, and the racing mind.
• Moving from a lack to an abundance mindset.
• Expanding beyond our limiting beliefs.
• Assertively (but not aggressively) creating from a place where equality, authenticity and freedom are celebrated. Not only me – but for everyone.

I’m not perfect and don’t pretend to have all the answers, but because of my interests and the path that I have walked I feel I carry wisdom and insight that might be helpful to others.

There is beauty in recognising that we are here for those who resonate with us; and will not be everyone's cup of tea. Instead, we attract those who resonate with us, and we can seek to give them a leg up where they might need it.

My goal is to become a Thought Leader. I have already been heading in that direction. Following are some ways I am looking to share my knowledge, insight, and support to others in 2022 and beyond:

• Continue to write, i.e. articles, blog, vlog, creative writing. Write and publish my first book.
• Continue to post motivations, insights, and quotes through social media. Perhaps start a group that encourages self-love, acceptance, equality and authenticity.
• Continue to live consciously and take accountability for my actions.
• Celebrate authenticity. Be raw, real and authentic always. This shines a light out into the world so that others might feel more comfortable and more empowered to simply be themselves.
• Find non-intrusive ways to encourage others to break through their limiting beliefs. Encourage people to break free of unhelpful and toxic thoughts, patterns, and behaviours.
• Find as many ways as possible to support and uplift individuals, small business, and business start-ups. Make it my mantra to plant or water a seed with every interaction.
• Encourage others to enjoy the small wins as much as those bigger wins.
• Intuitively and anonymously place a monetary gift in random letterboxes, because why not? Imagine that smile on a person’s face when they see that the universe has provided them a gift with no strings attached.
• Look for other ways to do small acts of kindness. If a person asks how they can pay me back, then encourage them to pay it forward.
• Show appreciation in different ways, particularly to those who support me in my ventures.
• Use opportunities as they become available to help heal others in a non-intrusive way.
• Complete the Reiki Course that I started in 2021.
• Strive to always live from a place of love and peace; and to continue to let go of fear-based behaviours.
• Be mindful of ego and competition. Steer clear of gossip, sarcasm, and unnecessarily debating with others. If I personally create from a positive place, this encourages others to do the same.
• Discourage discrimination and segregation within the community. It’s not helpful, nor necessary. The fact we are all different should be celebrated.
• Donate regularly to various domestic violence organisations and other not-for-profit organisations where I see the most need.
• Sell products in an ethical way that is positive, uplifting and healing for all involved.
• Study Bachelor of Arts. Majors in Philosophy & Ethics. Minor in Creative Writing. Not because I have to, but because I want to. This will help me to expand my knowledge even further in some key areas; so that I can further support others.

The only way I can successfully achieve these goals is if I continue to be very open to the lessons and growth opportunities that life sends my way.

I choose to live life very consciously and to the fullest. When we choose this particular road, we offer the greatest blessings to both ourselves and to those who we come into contact with.