Be True To Yourself

Sailboat Sunset by Brian Williams

 Perhaps there is nothing in life more important than to be true to yourself.  Nothings brings more satisfaction and nothing can bring more heartache.  Our own conscience is a strict task maker.  One can actually mute ones conscience to an extent where it can't be heard--- that may be the most dangerous thing to anyone human..  Without it one can never reach any state of happiness for they have fallen victims of apathy and disgruntlement.  An attitude of, "I don't care" is the most dangerous of all, destructive in nature.  It will destroy anyone.  Thus, it is imperative to know 'thy self' in order to be truly content with oneself.  It is good to know what our values and morals are.  What we want to stand for.  What we are not willing to stand for.  Know our limits.  Learn to recognize weakness, and have the desire to improve.  When we know who we are, or who we want to be then we are able to live the life we want to live, and to always be true to ourselves.

"Life isn't about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself."  ~ George Bernard Shaw

The phrase, "You should always be true to yourself", has become somewhat of a cliche.  It is, however, a deeply important concept and one very important to our relationships, our health, and overall happiness.

So, what does it actually mean to "Be True to Yourself"?

According to Author Julie M. Digby, it means the following:

1.  It means to act in accordance with who you are and what you believe. - If you know yourself, and love yourself, you will find it is effortless to be true to yourself.

2.  Love yourself - Just as you cannot love anyone else until you love yourself, you cannot be true to anyone else until you are true to yourself. Think about the positive qualities in yourself that make you who you are, be thankful for those qualities, and feel love for the amazing person that you are!

3.  Accept your uniqueness - Be who you are!  Do not take action or pretend to be someone else for the sake of gaining acceptance.  If there is something that you want to change about yourself, do it for the sake of you!  Have the courage to accept yourself as you really are, not as someone else thinks you should be.  Envision you perfect life.  Think about the person that you are, without any of the outside conditioning that has negatively impacted you, and trust your gut feelings.  This is being true to yourself.

4.  Respect Yourself - Self-respect comes from being true to who you really are and from acting in accordance with your fundamental nature.  When you respect yourself, others will respect you.  Trust your "inner voice" and act in line with your emotions.  If something feels "good and right", then it's probable what you should be doing.  Respect your own intuition, as well as respecting the choices of others.

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."