Courage & Reality

The people who say you are not facing reality actually mean that you are not facing their idea of reality.

Margaret Halsey


"The most courageous thing that a person can do is to live an authentic life. What is an authentic life life? It is a life lived from your heart, speaking YOUR truth, standing in YOUR truth, living in YOUR truth". Terri Amos in an article entitled "Authenticity = Freedom." A person can only live what they believe to be their own truth and can not be faulted for that. It is fine to be able to have discussion and even dissent about topics of the day, but if you truly believe something, and that is fine, it still does not make it your position or duty to convince others that yours is the right path or way.

This is the way that I feel and look at "organized religion". They have many limiting beliefs. They tell you that you are bad and must be saved. They tell you that you are not worthy of the kingdom of Heaven and must work harder. You are not good enough to get in and must do more. Why is that? I used to ascribe to these beliefs myself, for many years, and then I finally realized that Yes, I am good enough. I am a good person and have not committed any major badness in my life. so why should I constantly be working to get into this kingdom? Once I had this epiphany I felt much more at ease in my life.

I don't need someone else to tell me that I need to work harder and do more. I do many good works every day and yet I do not ask anyone to pat me on the back for them. I volunteer my time and ask for nothing in return and I even do spontaneously without fanfare. I will share my thought pattern, if asked, and yet I do not try and convert anyone to my way of thinking. Although I do love to have rousing discussion with many philosophy majors that I work with at the coffee mega giant.

I do not take any more limiting beliefs in to my life, or I try not to, and I do not intend to alienate those who belong to churches and groups. That is their choice, but as for me I choose to be a free spirit and direct the flow of my own life. I ask myself, "Is this the truth for me?" and if it doesn't feel right, then it is not a good fit. It is up to the individual to know their own truth. Society plays a huge part in telling people what to believe and what to do, I choose not to play along.

"Limiting beliefs are like a cage locked tight with no opening in sight. But when you realize that you are the one who holds the key in releasing these beliefs, only then can you find freedom." Terri Amos

I found my key.