“True leaders always practice the 3 R’s: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, Responsibility for their actions” – Anonymous
Having emerged from a dark night of the soul and subsequent surrendering of the ego self, this tremendous change to my personal identity was terrifying.
Birthing a new version of myself, beyond childhood conditioning, meant that I became unrecognisable, not only to others but also to myself! This process revealed a deep love for myself never experienced before. I started to actually like myself and appreciate my uniqueness and individuality in a diverse world. How beautiful is that?
Yet, getting to know the more authentic version of myself also came with its own feelings of awkwardness. As I disentangled myself from the family to allow them to take responsibility for their choices, I felt out of control. I wrestled between shouldering the burden of this newfound personal responsibility and isolating myself, wishing that someone else would take charge and take care of me.
I recalled a time when I interviewed researchers of modern slavery at Nottingham University, where one of the scholars suggested that, “some survivors don’t even realise they were enslaved.” Whilst she was referring to forced labour, as defined in the Modern Slavery Act, is that not true for us all?
You see, “normal”, is going through the motions of life never questioning reality. We simply accept the model that’s been outlined for us.
As I turned these memories over in my mind, I became aware of the broader psychological and emotional entrapments within family structures, culture and society.
You see, in order to awaken to the truth of who you are, you must free yourself from the slave image. It’s not about searching for who you are, it’s about dropping all the layers that have veiled who you really are!
When we don’t know who we are, we’re easy to control and manipulate. We settle for the mundane, living a half-life, unable to perceive reality in its fullness.
Stepping into your personal power means becoming the conscious leader of your life. It is not a power that wields over others, it is a loving energy; one that does not rob others of their freewill, neither does it negate holding them accountable for their actions. It demands respect and a diligent examination of one’s own motives and actions.
A true leader leads from the heart with integrity, humility and courage.
I love to hear from you – What support do you need to step into your power?
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