The Truth Is....

Being honest with yourself is probably the hardest thing you will ever do.

You'll have to face some big things that you've been lying to yourself about.

It's gonna be SO worth it!

A little while back I got an email from a friend. 

As always it was perfect timing.  I was in need of a reality check, I had been ignoring my truth and working hard at the things I really don't enjoy doing which translates into nothing, notta, zip. 

I learned a long time ago that when I'm not honest with myself about the direction I'm going in, I feel like a failure.  If I continue on a project that feels bad to me but I'm being encouraged by an outside source, I feel like a failure.  And still I get stuck in that sometimes.

The article talked about how being honest with yourself and embracing your truth can help you build your business.  Personally, I wasn't focused on how this would improve my business, I was more interested in what it would do for me personally.  Since personally I was feeling like I was stuck in quicksand.

The article encourages you to make a list of truths.

The list starts 'The Truth Is....' and you go through each and every thing you can think of that you've been trying to deny for so long.

My list was long.

The struggle was getting down to my core issues and not focusing on what someone else might want me to focus on (I know you're thinking where does someone else's expectations come in...  I don't know, they just do sometimes).

What happens when you are looking at a physical list of truth?  It changes you.  It changes your direction and it changes your decisions and priorities.

I looked at my list and thought "why on earth would I continue to do anything that I don't feel good about or that doesn't honour my truth?"

Here's my list.

The truth is I HATE (I know a strong word, and yet oh so appropriate) doing business work.
The truth is I really want to draw and teach and heal all day long.
The truth is I don't spend enough time being a mom (because some days I'm too busy doing the business thing)
The truth is I'm afraid of my potential.
The truth is I'm tired of holding back, I'm tired of being afraid and I'm tired of 'playing small'.
The truth is I love my life when I am sharing wisdom and drinking latte's with new (and old) friends.
The truth is I am tired of denying myself true happiness for someone else's emotional well being.
The truth is when it comes to business I despise the networking scene and think it's a joke.
The truth is I have a lot to learn about everything in life and the truth is I am eager to do that learning.

The list goes on and on.

What does your list of truth look like?

What's great about kids....

You know what's great about having kids around?

Their total and complete honesty.

I was reminded of this, as I was getting ready for my day this morning.

I have been invited to spend time with a local mental health group and assist them in making effective vision boards today, so I want to be comfy but not sloppy.

So I stuck on a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt and asked my 11 year old son if it looked okay (he just happened to be walking by, so I thought I'd get his honest opinion). 

Me:  Hey bud, does this look okay?

Him:  Ya Mom, it looks good.

Me:  Are you sure?  What if I put a long sleeve shirt on under the t-shirt?  (as I make the change)

Him:  I don't know what you're worried about.  You're always worried about how you look and you always look fine.  Who cares what you look like anyway.  I don't care what I look like, I'd probably wear this to a wedding or something like that (as he points to his all time favourite ripped up pants, black Aeropostale t-shirt and brown hoodie).

Me:  You're right, you would wear that to a wedding.  And you'd be the most comfortable person there.

Him:  Yep, so just wear what you want Mom, and look the way you want and be comfortable.

Me:  Okay.  This looks good though right? (now with a long sleeve shirt under my T)

Him:  Yesssss (said in the "oh my God you didn't hear a word I said" tone of voice)

Ahhh, it really is refreshing to have kids around.....