If there was a recipe for this blog, the ingredients would be a heaping serving of thought provoking and challenging sermon by my pastor who spoke truth to power, add hours of open conversation with a genuine friend and glass of wine, seasoned with a variety of encounters and truth talks, meditation and let simmer over a marathon re-reading of Terry McMillan’s book, I Almost Forgot About You. Remove from heat and let set for several days of honest self reflection.
The blog is now served.
“I respect people who live in their truth”
I’ve heard this phrase for most of my life, and the older I get, the more I appreciate and agree with the statement. When you live your truth, it’s an intentional and continual action of moving into a place of discomfort and into the life that you were designed to have, which lies outside of your comfort zone. It takes courage and calls you to speak your truth, surround yourself with those who speak truth and embrace the truth of who you are.
Speak your truth – Living in your truth means speaking it. The main character in Terri’s new novel goes on a self-awakening journey where she encounters people from her past and asks the questions that she’s always wanted to ask, but never had the courage to do so. I remember the words from a friend years ago, when he said, “Sheila, it’s not that you don’t ask questions ….. you just have to ask the right ones.” Speaking your truth means asking the questions, sharing how you feel and getting the answers. It also means that receiving no answer is an answer, too. This Shonda Rimes quote sums up the rewards of speaking your truth.
“Because no matter how hard a conversation is, I know that on the other side of that difficult conversation lies peace. Knowledge. An answer is delivered. Character is revealed. Truces are formed. Misunderstandings are resolved. Freedom lies across the field of the difficult conversation. And the more difficult the conversation, the greater the freedom. “ Shonda Rimes
