No More Apologies!

 As I walked tonight I listened to the latest Unlocking Us podcast and as per usual, it resonated deeply.  Brene Brown was speaking with Sonya Renee Taylor on her book "The Body is Not an Apology" and as I listened to their conversation unfold, I heard so many messages that I have been processing lately.

The main premise of the book (which I cannot wait to read for myself!) is the practice of radical self love.  In order to make true change in the world around oppression and hatred that is held for so many people based upon their appearance, sexual preferences and gender identity, we first need to address these negative tendencies that we have towards ourselves.  The one idea that she put forward that really struck me was that we possess something called natural intelligence.  Every living thing will become the highest form of itself and will do what is required to reach that naturally.  In other words, we can become the person who we are meant to be, and can achieve what we were meant to achieve by removing the obstacles that in the way of this both internally and externally.  So instead of living a life of constant striving and reaching and never feeling like we are enough, seeing that we are going to become all we are meant to be by doing the opposite.  Living with ease in our bodies, minds and hearts.  Much easier said than done.

Another interesting point that was made was in reference to how we all seem to idolize a "perfect" version of what we want to be like, to look like, what we want our lives to unfold as.  We are the only creatures in the world who strive to try and assimilate in this way.  Look at nature...look at the beauty of plants and trees and animals.  How often do we celebrate and embrace the fact that in nature there are almost always several versions or varieties of the same species of animal or plant?  Would we appreciate the wonder of a forest if all of the trees looked exactly the same?  Or a garden of flowers?  Or how about our children or the animals that we love and embrace?  Do we hold those beings to a standardized vision of beauty or perfection?  And if we are able to afford this compassion and softness towards others, then why not towards ourselves as well?

I really felt empowered by this discussion as there were many ideas expressed that seemed to echo a lot of the sentiments that have been knocking around in my head and heart lately.  I especially appreciated the idea of natural intelligence and the fact that we are able to achieve all that we are meant to achieve and become the person who we are meant to be simply by the act of allowing it to happen.  Allowing ourselves to experience the world in our own way, and grow and develop in our own time.  Not on some timeline that has been given to us by someone else's social media account or by some idea of happiness or perfection that we have been shown over the years.  But by the inner most knowledge that we possess.  Our deepest wisdom and intuition.  Listen for that voice and when you start to hear the whispers get quiet and listen harder because they will lead you exactly where you were always meant to be.