"Identity" consists of the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions
that make a person who they are.
Say this next sentence out loud:
I embrace my identity.
Does that sound unusual to your ears? Is an affirmation like this one unfamiliar to you? Embracing your identity - the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and expressions that you experience and that are a part of you is important to your overall emotional and spiritual health.
I accept that the person I am is the person I am meant to be. My circumstances, physical appearance and personality are all part of a divine plan that I have influence over. I love the person I am.
When you are faced with negative circumstances, you can avoid feeling discouraged by using the positive virtues you possess to deal with the challenging situation and come out victorious.
I realize that there may sometimes be others around me who dislike me, for whatever reason. Even so, I am satisfied, because I know that I am the best me I can be at this moment in time, and that I'm becoming a better me every day.
Just because we don't necessarily fit into the "mold" that society or popular opinion might deem flawless or beautiful, rest in the confidence that you are exactly how you should be. You can embrace your physical appearance in all it's perfectly unique imperfection - no one living on the planet can adhere to the whims and changes of the beauty industry. Not even popular fashion models feel confident in their appearance or consider themselves "perfect" all the time.
My body and facial features may be different than what current society deems flawless, but I am exactly how I should be at this time in my life,
so I embrace my physical appearance as well, and use my own evaluation criteria for
any changes I choose to make.
You have the RIGHT and the POWER to live according to your own decisions. You are an autonomous human being and can base your life and your journey on your own circumstances, dreams and goals, rather than what others expect of me. Who's to say those other people, well-meaning though they might be, know better than YOU do what's right for you?
Tap into your heart and mind, and there you'll find authentic wisdom. Give yourself the gift of time and space to get to know what feels right for YOU. Set yourself some ground rules - as a good human being, you could decide that your decisions and actions will not intentionally hurt anyone, that you'll strive to be your best at whatever you do, and that you'll use your resources to expand your educational level and continue growing in a positive direction.
You don't have to achieve EVERY goal in the next two weeks, or two months, or two years, no matter what anyone else says to you. Recognize that it is impossible to always live up to the expectations of others and be at peace with your authentic self at the same time.
Today, I commit to loving myself just the way I am. Even when others want me to fit into a certain mold, I remain authentic to my heart and my soul.
I feel certain that I am the way I should be.
You can create and manifest the spiritually authentic life you want to live, and you can be grounded in your own unique process. You'll have aspects of your journey that you'll share with others, but those others don't get to define YOUR process or your result.
Self-Reflection Questions:
- Do I sometimes prefer what I see in others to what I see in myself?
- What strategies do I use to allow me to be true to myself?
- Do I accept my loved ones, friends and family the way they are?
Consider using a journal to document these questions and your journey toward a spiritually authentic life. Whether its electronic (phone, tablet or computer) or physical (notebook, journal, notepad), documenting your journey enables you to keep track of what's working and what has a positive effect on you.
