When circumstances in your life invite you to present your true self to others, do you accept the invitation? Or do you choose to play it safe by telling people what you think they want to hear? Do you leave conflicts wishing you had spoken up for yourself; leave social settings feeling totally drained; over-commit to obligations and under-commit to activities that bring you joy; and do you give more than you receive in the majority of your relationships? Today it is time to change all that people pleasing, inauthentic communication and superficial relationships that leave you feeling disconnected and alone. It is time to begin to have faith in yourself enough to stop telling people what they want to hear and instead speak your truth. Today, begin small and when asked how you are, despite the knee jerk reactions of saying fine, respond with the truth. Of course do not try to be authentic with people who clearly do not care about you nor your real feelings. It is time to let them go of them or at least stop using your energy to placate them at your expense. Today begin to be yourself in every situation. And remember, inauthenticity breeds inauthenticity. Authenticity breeds authenticity. Give yourself permission to say “I’m a little sad today, but I’m hanging in there” or “I’m fantastic; today’s been an inspiring day” or “I’m so stressed I don't feel like I can go on. Whatever’s going on for you, give yourself permission to share it. These small moments of authenticity will replace the loneliness of emotional isolation with the belonging of vulnerability, and allow you to receive others’ gifts in the form of compassion and empathy. The inner liberation that comes as a result of the simple acknowledgement can feel enormous. It removes the conflict between what you feel and what you portray to the outside world, which is what authentic communication is all about. And it is what you can begin to be today.

Just for today, I have too much integrity to ever lie or tell people what they want to hear. What I give out comes back to me. So I always speak the truth. I create easily and effortlessly when I let my thoughts come from the loving space of my own heart. The door to my heart opens inward. I move through forgiveness into love. I cannot change another person. I let others be who they are and I simply love who I am. I am safe when I speak my truth. I can remain calm and serene under all circumstances. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.