This post is a part of the Season of Gratitude Series. You can participate by writing a gratitude post and telling me about it. For more details, click here.
A few years ago, I met with a minister and I told him that I wanted to teach Truth Principles. He asked me, “What Truth Principles?” I was flustered and irritated by his answer. The question prompted me to go in search of Truth. Not only to know what it was, but to prove it so in my life.
The one Truth that I’ve discovered that holds for everyone is: what is true for you is true for you. Some say that the Law of Attraction is a law in that it works whether you believe it or not. I’m not so sure that’s True. Still others claim that global warming and war are realities to be addressed in our lifetime. I’m not so sure that even holds, despite physical evidence to the contrary. I personally believe that God is a benevolent force that is the essence of all things. I’m not so sure that’s True.
By the statement, what is true for you is true for you, I mean that your own Truth works for you in your life. Everything else is up for grabs.
So now the work becomes knowing your own Truth. You need to find out what will work for you in your own life. Of all the ideas, information, and knowledge out there, what is resonating with you? What have you tried and been successful with? Do you know yourself well enough to know when you have to get on your knees and prayer? Or even when visualizing the optimal solution will work?
I can hear the cries now, “But Nneka, aren’t there Universal Laws?” There may be, but I have found that it is more advantageous for me to determine what works best in my life. One of the Truths that work for me is that life is an inside out job. I’m much more effective in the world when I change myself than when I try to change something or someone outside. To that end, it matters very little to me what’s making that other thing or person do what it’s doing.
Here’s an example. I often facilitate meetings in which I’m asking clients what they want so that I can translate those needs and desires for a technical team. Sometimes in those meetings several parties come to the table and they all bring their agendas. I have tried to ‘control’ these meetings using several methods. On one extreme, I would walk into the meeting, full armor on, prepared to put everyone in their place and have them bend to my will. Sometimes I would do it heavy handedly. Most times I would read the room, do research on each party’s position, and very slyly maneuver everyone into compliance. That was the nice way.
On the other extreme, when I walk into one of those meetings, I open myself up completely. I listen to what everyone is saying. If there’s a lot of posturing, I don’t size up the room to determine which side would be most advantageous to me, I just sit with it. I begin to breathe into the room. I hold the space for a harmonious meeting where all parties come to agreement. In all this time, I’m not saying much, I’m not angling, I am totally present. I shift into alignment with the best possible outcome.
Guess which one is more effective and requires less energy? It’s the latter! I change the outside by changing the inside.
When you know what works for you in your life and you live in alignment with it, you are happier, healthier, and more productive. Your Truth evolves as you seek better ways. What you thought was gospel 2 years ago may not be serving you today. Maybe you can try to adopt a new Truth. Try it on and see if it fits. The test is whether or not these principles are working for you in your life. The best that someone can do is show you a way. You have to determine for yourself whether or not that way works for you.
Today I am grateful for the guiding lights along my path, but most of all I am thankful for the beacon within. I am grateful for the trust that I have in myself to know my Truth. What are you grateful for?
In Spirit,
Nneka
