BEING OURSELVES

We are often advised to be ourselves. Good advice. But, do we know who we are? We have been so many things for so many people. We change our mask for every situation we are in. We have been raised to please a diverse number of people. Then when we grow up we're expected to just be ourselves?

Our programming is very subtle and very complete. It covers everything. It doesn't happen without a fight. The rebelliousness of some youth comes from their sense that something is wrong. They feel it. They may reject everything and everybody, not knowing what the offensive part is.

We take on taste and opinions of others without awareness. Most of these things are rather harmless. I remember when I was about 24, I was looking at a garden and the person I was with said something about the petunias. I said, "I don't like petunias." I had a sudden realization; it wasn't my opinion. I was echoing my Mother's opinion. Which was strange because we were in my Mother's garden. She must have planted them. But, I was sure that I got that opinion from her. There must have been something she didn't appreciate about them. I saw petunias with fresh eyes and discovered I liked them. I was very close to my Mother and I loved her dearly. However, she didn't lack for opinions and wasn't shy about sharing them with family. She was extremely tolerant about everything but intolerance.

How do we sort all this out? How do we discover who we are? When can we say, I am no longer programmed, "I am myself?" First know that we are always ourselves. Despite the matrix we find ourselves in, we are there. We can calm our minds and sink down into a peaceful place anytime. No matter how programmed we become, we can sense the glimmer of light that is us. 

What makes us happy? What brings us peace? What enhances that glow of love that emanates from our center? When we come to the conclusion that we are Love; it will be easier to differentiate ourselves from the matrix.

So sometimes the advice, "Be yourself" is not so easy. We work on it. We know we need to get out of the time loop of continuing to create our future from the past. We know when we are stuck in this we miss the present. We know that past and present pain causes us to stay stuck in the loop. We know forgiveness is the key. We pay attention to ourselves. We grow. We know we are growing. We are becoming more and more aware of the love that pours out from us and surrounds us. We learn to forgive our lapses. We see more and more how even the slightest judgement dims our light and fogs our mind.

We begin to realize that being ourselves is a journey. A great Journey of Self- Discovery. We don't know when the final exit from the matrix will occur. We don't know when we will be able to really 'see'.  The timing of Enlightenment is not our choice. The preparation for it is always our choice.

We are going to get there regardless. Do we follow the path of love, peace and joy or are we dragged through the brambles beside the path? Either way, we will discover Love is the only way.

We will discover we are great beings of light. All is Love. Everything that isn't love is illusion.

Love and Peace,  Gregg