Have you ever thought about why you loved it so much? Chances are, it spoke to something deep inside of you—something you identify with, something that is a part of you.
What if that story is a catalyst to wake you up? It inspires you. It speaks to you. It says, “Hey! I am the truth of who you are! Listen to me! Hear me! Let me out!”
You can almost viscerally feel a stirring in your heart. It makes you want to be that, do that, go there, take that chance, seize that opportunity.
You want to embrace that part of you that perhaps has lain dormant all this time.
This is another way of saying, “I want to learn to love myself! I want to embrace and be the person I feel inside—the one who identifies with this story or these characters. I no longer want to be afraid. I no longer want to limit myself to only those activities that others approve of, or that I have done in the past. I want to love myself enough to embrace that me! I want to give myself permission to get to know that part of me that has been hidden.”
So, where do you begin the journey to embracing the self you want to be?
Listen to Your Inner Voice
You talk to yourself all the time (we all do). For some reason, though, when you tell yourself things about what you can do, you ignore that voice or immediately begin to counter that thought with three more explanations about why you can’t do it.
Well, why can't you do it? Don't you already have some of the skills that it would require? Doesn't the idea excite you? Can't you imagine yourself doing it already, minus the details?
What would it hurt to give in to this inner voice and take that first step? Why don't you trust your inner voice?
It's just fear of change. Lack of practice. Fear of the unknown. Fear that someone will think you are stupid for even trying. You can't make a difference, can you? Well, ask yourself whether being your authentic self could positively affect even one other person. If you say yes, then you are making a difference, aren’t you?
Realize That You Are Special Already
You may think you are a chalk outline of yourself, a hollowed-out husk with nothing inside. You may think you have given all of yourself away by the choices you have already made and have nothing left of value to give. Guess what? I have good news for you: You can't give away who you are!
You were special when you were born and nothing you have done or can do can change that.
You didn't have to have a certain upbringing. You can't buy it. You don't have to qualify to become this special person. You are this special person, no matter what choices you have made in the past.
Accept that you are already complete. You don't need anyone to make you complete. You are a finished product already.
The most any of us can do for you is hold up the mirror so that you can see yourself. But you already are what you were born to be, whether you have accepted it or not. We all have gifts. We are all special.
When all the things that have happened to you are stripped away, you get to the essence of you, and that person cannot be destroyed. You can certainly cover up that person, but that person will remain there until you either accept it or depart this earth. It is never too late to start this journey of self-love and acceptance.
To love yourself is to say out loud who and what you are (if you know it). If you aspire to write, say out loud, “I am a writer.” OK, so you haven't published anything yet. Maybe you never will. So? You are still a writer. Own it. Let that concept marinate. Accept it. Doesn't that feel good? Now let that feeling propel you to the next step.
Don't Despair if You Aren't Sure What That Final Product Is
It sometimes takes a little time to wake up. Maybe it isn't as clear-cut as proclaiming, "I am a writer." Maybe you know what you like and what you are good at, but they don't add up to anything you know as a profession. Don't despair! Sometimes you can't see the final product. You start with what you know and the larger picture becomes clear as you go.
For example: You have a desire to see people find their passion. You are also good at pinpointing issues at an organizational level that prevent companies from creating a positive culture. You also enjoy public speaking. How do those things fit together? You may not know the full answer to that yet, but you don't let the lack of a final picture stop you from starting on the journey of self-discovery and self-love. You turn over the first card from a deck of cards and focus on that first card (step) only.
Take the First Step, Even if It Is Shaky
Even if you feel like an hours-old colt with its shaky, spindly legs flopping in every direction, you are alive! You are awake. Now you just need to stand up and make the first move. What if you get it wrong? Well, what are the chances that you will get it all right the first time? How many times did Edison fail before he invented the light bulb? It isn't important that you get it all right at the beginning. What is important is to start. Don't do everything to avoid taking action.
I know you. You talk yourself out of it. You sell yourself excellent excuses. It’s that internal dialogue: “I will start my diet tomorrow. I will research about self-publishing a book tomorrow. I will call my Dad tomorrow.” Then, tomorrow you are too busy and then a week goes by and you feel foolish, and then you just say, “Never mind. It was a silly idea anyway. I could never do that.” No! No! It wasn't silly! Then or now! Don't trick yourself into giving up on what you are thinking of doing. Do it!
It is never too late to love yourself enough to take the first step to become who you were born to be. We need you. The world needs you to love yourself.
