Being YOU

BEING YOU is about engaging our lives from a place of worthiness. It's about cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough". It's going to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn't change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging". Our imperfections are gifts that help us tap into the virtues of courage, compassion, and connection - the elements that help us live meaningful, connected, and happy lives. I remember often feeling critical, fearful, alone, and judgmental-the opposite of the gifts. I wondered, What if my best is not enough? Why isn't everyone living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself to everyone? For me, the danger of losing myself was more expensive than the risk of letting people see the real me. It's been close to six years since the day I made that choice. It's been the best four years of my life, and I wouldn't change a thing. The things I've learned so far didn't happen in a day or a year and I'm still on my journey. It hasn't been easy but I value every experience I've had since that day. Whatever format you are reading this book in, I am inviting you to join the people who intentionally on the path to BECOMING the best versions of themselves daily. Think of it as an invitation to join a revolution to have a world of REAL PEOPLE. A small, quiet, movement that starts with each of us saying, "I am enough now, my world needs me to be ME." A movement where we can go on the streets with our messy, imperfect, wild, stretch-marked, wonderful, heartbreaking, grace-filled, and joyful selves. A movement fueled by the freedom that comes when we stop pretending that everything is okay when it isn't. A call that rises up from our bellies when we find the courage to celebrate those intensely joyful moments even though we've convinced ourselves that savoring happiness is inviting disaster. Revolution might sound a little over the edge, but in this world, choosing authenticity and worthiness is an absolute act of rebellion against societal norms. Choosing to express ourselves without fear is an act of defiance. You're likely going to confuse, piss off, anger, scare and terrify lots of people-yourself inclusive. One minute you'll pray that the transformation stops, and the next minute you'll pray that it never ends. You might also wonder how you can feel so brave and so afraid at the same time. At least that's how I feel most of the time ... brave, afraid, and very, very alive.