honestly me

I have been thinking, journaling, wondering, asking, and praying about what it means to be authentically myself.  I wonder if I will ever be brave enough to completely know and love myself wholly.  I know if I cannot be honest with myself about who I am and have grace for what I find, I will never be able to do the same for others.  

Here are some quotes I have been sparking my journaling lately.  

“Silent solitude makes true speech possible and personal. If I am not in touch with my own belovedness, then I cannot touch the sacredness of others. If I am estranged from myself, I am likewise a stranger to others.” 
                                  ~ Brennan Manning

“She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.” 
                                  ~Kate Chopin 


“First of all, although men have a common destiny, each individual also has to work out his own personal salvation for himself in fear and trembling. We can help one another to find the meaning of life no doubt. But in the last analysis, the individual person is responsible for living his own life and for “finding himself.” If he persists in shifting his responsibility to somebody else, he fails to find out the meaning of his own existence. You cannot tell me who I am and I cannot tell you who you are. If you do not know your own identity, who is going to identify you?” 
                                   ~Thomas Merton 



“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” 
                                         ~May Sarton

There must be more quotes or thoughts on this subject.  What are yours?  Do you feel like you are authentically yourself?  

Staci Lee

I like my cameras old, my shoes comfortable, and my whiskey neat.

6 comments

  • I really love this, Staci. Thank you for sharing. I have been pondering how Jesus knew that he was the Beloved. His Father spoke it a few times and Jesus lived out of this truth. Many people say, “well, that was Jesus, he was PERFECT!” But I do think that Jesus was human and struggled with the same things we struggle with. I guess I am challenged as well to live out of the belief that I am the Beloved. Because if Jesus can accept me in my brokenness, then it should enable me to accept myself in my brokenness. I know this year is a year of MORE for you and this is the journey you are on, to find MORE acceptance, MORE living out being the Beloved and MORE grace. You lead us all in this in a true way.

  • Yes! I feel like if I could honestly look at my shortcomings, I would honestly feel His grace for me. This grace could inspire me to have grace for myself and for others. It feels good to be heard and understood!

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