“There is a gold kernel of truth within each of us. It is the marrow of who you really are. It’s right there- your true self, your soul self- shimmering and powerful, free of fear, clean of envy, clear of purpose. And yet, at the same time, it’s tantalizingly out of reach, hidden under layers of crappy things said and done to you; discounted or even threatened because of your gender or class or race; drowned out by the noise of your own anxieties and shame and jealousy; terrified to show its unique and flawed face to a world that values conformity and perfection.”
-Elizabeth Lesser
I’ve briefly touched on the concept of being your true selves, but this will be one of my more important pieces to you both because your soul is the foundation to which all this other “stuff” we talk about on here flows from.
I have a tendency to say that you both remind me of me in different qualities. I truly mean it as a compliment, and quite often I will point out things in you both that remind me of myself because in an odd way, it’s allowing me to be me.
I’ve spent most of my life feeling not enough, too small, or too stubborn. Too quiet or too much. Perhaps those are normal feelings of being human; but to me, it has felt like a shell. Or a heavy burden to carry.
Call it a mid life crisis, but recently I have worked on getting down to the soul stuff and what I truly need in order to be at peace with myself. It may be a life-long journey, but I’m determined to feel less the other way and more of the soulful way. Elizabeth Lesser explains it better,
“And why, you may ask, spend precious time searching for something as elusive as a soul? Why not leave it where it hides- near to us, yet so difficult to find and sometimes dangerous to follow?
There are two reasons:
First, you search for the soul for the sake of your own life- for purpose, for meaning, for strength, for freedom and peace and love. Second, you search for your soul for the sake of everyone else. You do it for your family, your children, your coworkers, the whole world.
The world needs your originality, your ideas, your humor, your creations. All of this is alive and well within you, hiding somewhere near you, beneath the layers, down, down, down, into the soul.”
The world needs us. How about I’ll keep striving to be my true self, to reach my soul, and you both do the same,
Mom
(Taken From Elizabeth Lesser’s Book: Marrow)
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