As a surfer and lover of the sea I truly believe in the power of the mermaid.
In fact, I believe we are all mermaids.
I like to think all women hold the unparalleled mysticism of mermaids. These are the characteristics I assign to our inner self. Our true self.
We are all magical, legendary, and born with unrivaled beauty. We are charming, elusive, and untamed. Our inner mermaid is the most passionate part of our soul. She is our true nature.
But, sometimes we let the expectations of the world cover her up and we forget about her.
Sometimes, we are afraid to let her out. We are afraid of being different. We worry about criticism and about not living up to other’s expectations. We aren’t sure people will like our mermaid within.
We are afraid that if we show who we REALLY are, show our true, weird, eccentric, colorful, wild mermaid self, that there is a risk we won’t be loved.
In this world of shoulds and aught-tos, sometimes it is hard to truly embrace our authentic self and feel confident in sharing her with others.
Well, we can rest in the knowledge that we were each made exquisite.
God made each and every person that has ever walked the planet, different. We are each unique.
Just sit with that for a second . . . for thousands of years, no two people have ever been the same.
Why do you think that is? Do you think we were made special so we could then try to replicate another?
Were we crafted to be exceptional only to keep the magic all to ourselves?
Um, No.
We were made to be unparalleled. We were made with this enchanted mermaid soul for a reason. Each and every one of us are distinctive.
When we compare ourselves to others, or imitate what someone else is doing, we are denying our own journey. We are suppressing who we are truly meant to be.
I am sure this makes the universe kind of pissed off.
There is no way we will ever reach our true potential or achieve the life of our dreams if we continue to deny parts of ourselves. If we suppress our inner mermaid; our true self.
If we deny parts of ourselves, we will never reach our true potential Click To TweetUntil we fully embrace the power of who were meant to be, we will limit what we are capable of.
Until we fully embrace the power of who were meant to be, we will limit what we are capable of Click To TweetI am sure God gets broken-hearted when people are afraid to be who they were designed to be.
It takes a lot of work to try to be something we are not. It can be exhausting and depressing.
So, if you’re feeling emotionally drained or unhappy, ask yourself, “Am I living authentically? Am I letting my inner mermaid express herself?”
If you’re not, here are ways you can set her free:
*Be courageous. Stop living small. Do what you love to do. Be who you love to be.
*Stop comparing yourself to others. Seriously. Stop it. We all have gifts. Yes, other people have gifts, too. But, no one has exactly the same gifts you do with your heart and your soul and your style and your voice.
*Use your gifts (see above). Take your love of baking or excellent fine motor skills or passion for cars or ability to hold your breath for 30 minutes 😉 and find a way to use these to make you happy. If you can use them to make other’s happy, too . . . you’ve hit the jackpot!
*Find ways to do the things that make you feel alive.
*Don’t put so much effort into what other people think. Honestly, people are too busy thinking about themselves to really care what you’re doing. And, by the way, what other people think about you is clouded by the lens of their own personal experience, so that has nothing to do with you anyway.
*Do what you want to do. Say what you want to say. The world will not fall apart if you honor what’s inside you-even if it goes against the grain. In fact, you might even give people inspiration to live their truth.
*Trust your intuition. That little voice inside you. The hair that rises on the back of your neck. The bad vibes and gut feelings. That is your intuition talking to you and you need to listen. Your intuition is smart and intuitive and usually right.
*Forgive yourself and then move on. Forgive yourself for whatever you’re holding onto and then let it go.
*Love yourself. Just love yourself!
Just love yourself! Click To TweetImagine your doctor gave you a terminal illness diagnosis. (Sorry, morbid I know.) Would you keep denying your beautiful inner mermaid then? Would you keep holding yourself back because you’re afraid? Because of the risk of criticism? Because of fear of the unknown?
So let the mermaid inside you out, she is dying to swim free.
Salty Kisses,
Karen
**If you agree that we should all feel confident in sharing our true, inner self with the world, share on Twitter or Facebook!
Photos: Dollar Photo Club
15 responses to “What Happens When You Deny Your True Self”
It’s taken me years to finally figure some of this out. Reaching midlife seems to give new perspective on life and I’m glad I’ve been finding my inner mermaid! Like that connection 🙂
Thank you Laurie! I was hoping the mermaid connection resonated with everyone-not just “ocean people.” Thank you so much for your comment! And I agree-the older we get the more we figure it out!
Terrific piece Karen. I find that the older I get the easier it is to listen to my own heart for a change. I really enjoyed this.
Definitely Rena! I was just telling a friend that today! The older we get, the less we care about what others think! Thank you for reading and for your comment!
And Aqua Man!
Yes Yes Yes Steve!!! Thanks for pointing that out!
I’ve been swimming free for soooo long I don’t know any other way! Besides, I have Pisces all OVER my astrological chart so mermaids speak to me. Loudly!
That’s awesome Carol!
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