How Can I Trust I Am Actually Sharing My Truth?

When we can begin to appreciate ourselves, we begin automatically to accept help and support and gifts from outside sources, including others--the beginning of the end of self-reliance.
Self appreciation is not the same thing as self-aggrandizing, conceit or self-absorption.  In fact, these characteristics are the opposite of true self-appreciation.

In appreciating our self, we are accepting all of who we are, warts as well as loveliness.  This appreciation is a kind of change of view point that allows us to accept our self so much more fully than when we judge ourselves.

Appreciating our self is a necessary first step of humility.  It is also a defense against humiliation. We begin to see and experience the value of our self in the world.

Where are all these words leading?  It is going to take us to a way of being where we are able, without trepidation or fear, to share our being in the world, trusting the truth that it will be the best we are able in the moment we are giving it.  Self-acceptance of our imperfections, and of those moments where we also experience perfection.

Self Reflection: How do I appreciate myself? Am I willing to accept help, support, gifts from others? Am I still hanging on to self-reliance? If so, what fears lie beneath this veneer of self-will?

Challenge and Truth

A challenge is a call to change.
Challenge is embracing an inner urging to change.

Almost always--this change is toward growth, creativity and joy.
Almost always--this challenge, takes us into a shared space with others, and out of aloneness.

For many people, it is so much easier to resist the change, and instead experience the higher cost and tougher challenge of trying to stay the same.

It is a challenge to live truthfully.  Not because we have so much 'bad stuff' to hide or stop doing,
but rather because we humans have this bizarre shame about letting our light out into the world.

When we accept the challenge of sharing the goodness we are aware we have, then our goodness that still remains hidden will share itself. It emerges, most often (maybe even 100% certain) without challenge and difficulty, but with a sense of ease and flow.

Self Reflection:  What is my goodness? How could I share it more fully?

― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

A Firsthand Experience with Sharing Truth

Carolyn shares: On my journey of learning what it means to 'Share Truth', I've had many firsthand lessons. One such lesson happened as I woke up early one Sunday morning with an intense awareness that I needed to do something for a woman who was about to undergo a very serious operation. If I said 'yes' to this spiritual nudging, it meant giving up a good chunk of my afternoon and evening.  It also meant I would be giving away a shawl I had spent a great deal of time and effort creating.  I felt my hesitation about both things-giving up my time and letting go of an object of beauty I had become attached to.

But, the awareness would not leave me alone. During my morning meditation, the nudging became stronger. So, I rearranged my day, and that afternoon took the train to the city, hailed a taxi to the hospital and offered the shawl.

The other part of this story is that in this nudging awareness, I also felt an insistent urging to hold a healing ceremony for blessing and protection.  My tendency is to keep this 'sacred object' wrapped up and hidden safely away from view, as if it were only for a 'special occasion'.  I act as if I were keeping some kind of sacred 'secret' and I don't share about it, or offer it to others, as though somehow my not sharing and keeping it hidden away was being humble (by the way, I have learned that not sharing  is never humble). As I observe this behavior in myself, it seems rather that I more selfish  by not letting others see or share the fullness of who I am and what I am able to offer, and by not sharing what I have been given. This, unfortunately is a lesson where I seem to need repeated teaching!

This is what I have learned: Sharing Truth is an action step.  It's not enough to have the concepts, or know the principles of Truth.  I must be willing to share actively ALL of myself-All the Truths of Me when asked, when needed.

Self Reflection: Am I willing to share actively ALL of myself-All the Truths of Me?

Our Journey to Share Truth:Begins

"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."

C.G.Jung

This moon cycle leads us in the way to share Truth in the world. Our first call is to use the skills, gifts, experiences and dreams we carry within to share our truth. Our willingness to share our truth as best as we currently understand this Truth. That is all that is needed. That is enough.  More will be shared as is needed-we need only be open to receive. Our understanding of the Truth of our being grows toward fullness only when we become willing to share our truth as it is in the now.

Self Reflection: I claim and move in the fullness of who I am,with humility, so that I do not shame or humiliate others.

Waking our Creative Spirit

The spirit of the artist lives within us all.
We are all creators, whether we own this essential part of our being or not.
To see our work in life as a creative act is a choice, regardless of what that work is.
If we walk in our life with an intention to create more love, peace, prosperity, balance..
        we walk as embodied artists for the Creator.
This is the path to Work and Walk in/with/for Truth.

Self Reflection:  How well do I know the spirit of my inner artist.  How would she express herself if I let her work in my life, walk in my life?

What Live Truth Means to Each of Us in Our Lives is Different

Truth, Lived through me, will be uniquely my truth,
Different from everyone else,
Yet, each living ou rown path of Truth,
We create a path for Peace.

Carolyn writes: This little poem is one of the conclusions about the meaning of 'Live Truth' as it is in my life. I came to this awareness during the time I spent with Lee and Bob Nitsch.
I saw that each person has their own gifts and a unique vision for their life, different from all others. To Live Truth, for me, means to Embody Truth as I currently understand Truth, then to express this Truth in all my thoughts, words, deeds.

Self Reflection:  In this waning moon phase, I have the possibility--and the ability-- to Live Truth in my actions and interactions with all of life.  My commitment to daily contemplation and reflection (daily review) ensures Truth lives in and through me as fully as I am currently able to allow. Contemplation and Review are preparation for my next action or my next letting go.

Manifestations of April's Waning Moon

How is April's moon, See Truth, manifesting in your life?  How is the teaching of See Truth playing out? What do you notice about how you see the world?  Do you notice distortions you haven't before seen? Are there synchronicities popping up at serendipitous times? Are you being called to action in new ways? Feeling the need to release habits, shake off old thought patterns?  Do you feel you are seeing with new awareness, new eyes? These are the gifts and challenges of this cycle of See Truth.

The waning phase of every moon cycle calls for action.  While in some cycles, the action of the waning moon time is more reflective, calling for inner work and action, others cycles teach action in the outer world. The waning phase in the cycle of See Truth calls us to both deep inner work and outer action.

Impeccable self-care is required for this kind of work.  Be gentle with yourself, get enough sleep, eat well, get out of doors, sit in prayer and meditation.  Seek the support of others.

Self Reflection: How am I caring for myself? Gentleness? Rest? Eating well? Being in Nature? Praying and meditating? Not doing life alone?

The Gifts of the Waning Moon

During these last two weeks of every moon cycle, the moon slowly recedes from sight.
Yet, this time is not inviting us to withdraw and retreat.
Rather, this is a time for visibility, sharing and letting go.
Put into practice what you have been working on in the previous weeks of the cycle.
The waning phase of the cycle offers support for manifesting your intentions, visions and goals.
If your focus for this month is creating and becoming,
          the waning phase is time for putting your efforts out into the world.
If your focus relates to working with an addiction, releasing a bad habit, attitude or behavior,
          the energy of this part of the moon cycle offers gifts to lessen unhealthy cravings and urges.

Self Reflection; an exercise for clarity and direction: Go out each night being aware of the moon’s disappearing act; visualize your own self-sabotaging behaviors and attitudes disappearing from your life. Visualize them being replaced by manifestation and action.

Honor Truth Reminds us 'All Is Fundamentaly Well'

We have been sitting with Truth this month, receiving her wisdom as her Truth is revealed to us-- in our past, our present moment, and a vision of our future.  However distorted, foggy, clear or poignant this Truth might be, we are committed to receive our current perception of Truth. 

We do so with humility,  And with humility we allow what we receive to be transformed. We learn from what we perceive. We walk in the shoes or scan of the 'other', whether that other is a person, an animal, our environment. Moving through life with this kind of receiving is a very active process. We are called to practice, moment to moment, awareness-actively; consciously receiving and honoring what comes our way. 

Remember this kind of active receiving doesn't mean we like what is revealed, doesn't mean we want it, doesn't mean we believe it. It allows us to have ever greater awareness of what it is being revealed. in this moment, in this week, in the whole of our life. 

This active awareness can sometimes be overwhelming, When this overwhelm occurs, these words bring comfort and Truth: "I am not the One in charge.  At this moment, I am not asked to do anything. In the moments I am totally safe, all is as it needs to be, just for this moment." Sometimes the only truth we can honor is that in the moment we are reading this, all is fundamentally well.

Self Reflection: I am not the One in charge.  At this moment, I am not asked to do anything. In the moments I am totally safe, all is as it needs to be, just for this moment. All is fundamentally well.

Taste and Know

A Sharing from Karin:

Taste and Know

You feed me a piece of Truth, but I can't stomach it. 

As a single bite, I don’t get it!

Embittered, I avoid You

Whilst searching my heart and history.

Moon waxing, relationship strained, I relent:

“A whole portion, please.”

And this time I Listen,

Chew on it, let it digest.

She comes into her Fullness, brilliant in the Heavens!

And suddenly, I see mySelf reflected in your words.

Schemata rearranged, outdated ideas updated,

A new slice of Truth illuminated.

How do I come to Know mySelf?

It is through relationship--

To You, Her, Him,

To All in Heaven and Earth.

When I Inquire and Listen,

Taste and Swallow,

Body and Soul metabolize together,

ONE history recognizes ALL histories.

Under her diminishing light, I sit in grateful wonder.

You offer another morsel.

Self Reflection:  Am I willing to taste...and know?

Honor is an Action Word

Dictionaries define 'honor' as both noun and verb.
In this cycle of Honor Truth, 'truth' is a verb, requires action:

Respect Truth

Give Truth appropriate due

Look up to Truth

Esteem Truth

Give deference to Truth

Appreciate Truth

Venerate Truth

Worship Truth

Revere Truth

Cherish Truth

Value Truth

Worship Truth

Recognize Truth

Self Reflection: Honor is an action I take in my relationship to Truth.

What does ‘Honor Truth’ means to me?

Be with what it means to Honor Truth.