Kindred Spirit Network Newsletter 14

"To thine own self be true."

I firmly believe that each of us has a unique reason for being here and possess unique gifts to help us on our journey. So if we are all unique and have unique gifts, why is it that we feel we have to follow "the norm", and be pressured into "doing the right thing"? Of course, there needs to be structure, rules and standards in life or chaos would prevail but when it comes to being "us" and developing a life that reflects our core being, too much "following" others and not enough "leading" ourselves can result in frustration and the emptiness of a life not lived.

"To thine own self be true" is not about selfishness. It's about discovering our uniqueness and then working and living to develop an authenticity that flows from every thought and action. So what stops us?

For each of us, we will have our own set of barriers to authenticity. Financial, cultural, emotional and family pressures can all slow our progress towards being authentic. So how can we build our muscle of authenticity?

First, it is to search for the "knowing" that exists within us. This is not the "knowledge" we have gained through years of education, a job or following in the footsteps of others. "Knowledge" is stored in our logical brain and it keeps us safe and guides our actions. However, the "knowing" that something is right or wrong for us-be it an action, thought or feeling, is something that emanates from our spirit. Searching our spirit rather than our knowledge is often the first step to being authentic.

Next we need to trust. Its easy to trust in logic but we can be wary of trusting our heart as from time to time, we have all experienced a "broken heart" or acted impulsively and later regretted our haste. Emotional decisions can be dangerous so the trust that's required is found not within the screaming emotion of excitement or anger but within the quietness between our thoughts . If we slow down our minds (meditation perhaps?) and ask our spirit a question about our next move-the answer will always be given. The challenge then lies when the answer defies logic and our "knowledge" and suggests a more risky but fulfilling path. So do we choose "the road less travelled" or stick to the crowded motorway to the same destination as everyone else? The road less travelled might be more risky but if the soul yearns to take this path, to ignore it actually just keeps us lost in the noise of the motorway to nowhere.

Finally, we need to listen to those Kindred Spirits that know us well and know the inner workings of our hearts. Those that are prepared to guide us from their "knowing" rather than their "knowledge". Those that are prepared to tell us truths that we need to hear and to help us be authentic. To live a life without ever touching our own souls yearning for fulfillment is to live a life that may have to be re-lived. To be given a gift from a loved one and to then forever leaved it unwrapped would be seen as rude and ungrateful.

The universal energy loves us and has given us our own unique gifts to enable us to be authentically us. So when are you going to unwrap your gifts and build your muscle of authenticity? Don't wait another moment! Do it today! You'll feel so much better for it and quickly experience the joy of watching your unique gifts emerge into your life.

My loving thanks to those people that helped me unwrap some of my gifts this week. The journey may only just be beginning but I like the look of the road ahead.....