There is a power that I tap into, an effortless achievement, when I come from honesty. Trying to please others, to work in order to impress others, is not a sufficient end for me any more.

Even though my actions might be, at least as I claim, ‘to serve others’, it is not to impress them. It is as a response to my honest self that I choose to work in this way. Because I find great satisfaction in knowing that what I’m doing can bring happiness and relief to the world. My wish for your liberation is sincere.

And so I draw this power from my own innards. My own guts. And it takes guts to be yourself, unapologetically. But it is also one of the most important things I can do with my life.

I often think about the end of my life. And the acknowledgement of what I’ve done with my time on Earth, in this body.

One of the worst possible outcomes is that I feel like I could have been more courageous with my expression. That I could have been more authentically myself. That I could have done more to instill the vision of peace that I have.

Ultimately my work is aimed at presenting peace in a realistic and achievable way.

Rooted in Buddhist ideas of suffering and liberty from suffering. I believe that we are capable of ecstatic states of being that we rarely tap into.

And it is with humility that I say this. I have been humiliated and that has kept me from sharing. But at the end of life, I want to know that I have spoke my truth. That I have followed my compulsion to share. And that anyone who was meant to hear and benefit from what I had to share will at least have the opportunity to.

I am accepting bravery. I am accepting that I have impact on this world. And so as I speak, I embrace my unique expression. And I appreciate the specific message that I carry without disdain for the place I’ve come from.

There is an openness and ease that takes me over when I’m not afraid of judgment.  This is a celebration of my self. My real self.

I encourage you to speak openly and honestly. To continue in life without burying your bravery. And that will not always be easy. Sometimes your truth will be hard to hear. Sometimes it will be misinformed and wrong. But better than quietly believing something that is wrong, is speaking it, recognizing its falsity, and moving forward into more honest and accurate positions.

When you can begin to love yourself for the unique expression that you are, you can tap into greater powers and resources. You will experience greater fulfillment and happiness. You will inspire those around you to be themselves.

And that is a beautiful thing.

One of my, self-acknowledged, best qualities is that I allow people to be themselves. I reserve judgment. For I do not know any one’s path but my own. My methods of measurement are inescapably relative and it is impossible to know where another person really is in their progress.

Allow people to be themselves, and in turn it will allow you to be yourself.

Remember the golden rule, treat others the way you want to be treated, and also recognize in that how you treat yourself.

It is easy to fall into the comparative mindset. Judging ourselves against others and what they have achieved. But with certainty you can know that what is meant for me, is not meant for you. And vice versa. We are all unique expressions of life with unique paths to walk.

Free yourself from the need to compete, to be better than another. Rather, just be real and honest. For yourself. This is the path that leads to fulfillment. This is where I have found happiness. This is the source of my art and my voice.

Love yourself where you are at. With an honest and open mind, see yourself where you are, know that it is okay and right where ever you find yourself, and that you can continue on to great things.

As I step into my honest sharing I feel more empowered. I feel greater joy and purpose.

I acknowledge my successes and failures with a willingness to continue and grow into a stronger, compassionate, creative version of myself.

As I create from the place of the real me I make it okay for others to create from the place of the real them, and it shines light into the darkness that we carry.

It brings gratification and ease, knowing that I am not stifling the expressions that live within for fear of judgment.

I love myself as I am. I am grateful for the person I’ve become and am constantly becoming. I accept my ability to create that person. I am not afraid to be my real self. I believe it is a good thing for the world to witness, so that we all live with greater authenticity.