BE YOURSELF AND...

 ...SET THE WORLD ON FIRE!


It's a quote form Hildegard von Bingen (1098 - 1179), an incredible German woman who was centuries before her time in her thinking and expression.  She is known for being a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, medical practitioner and founder of scientific natural history in Germany..



But I want to unpack that statement 'be yourself and set the world on fire' a bit from my own life learning over these recent years...

I always thought that the  phrase 'Be true to yourself' was really rather self-serving and egotistical. I've been taught and trained to think that 'deny yourself', 'crucify yourself', put your own desires and feelings 'on the cross' and never have strong opinions. To the point that you no longer had any self-hood. Those of us who lived in certain christian circles will know exactly what I mean. 

I've been learning recently that, only when you are truly in touch with who you are can you live authentically.  It started when the Phoenix rose from the ashes, and for what felt like the first time, I took control of my life. Ever since then I feel like I've been loving who I am in a way that makes me feel truly alive.



Of course, it's an incremental journey, for I think it takes a lifetime to really come to know oneself - it's step by step, petit a petit.  The beauty is, the more and more you understand and love who you are (warts an' all!), the more you're capable of understanding and loving others (warts an' all).  And your relationship with God gets more real.


So now I don't think it's selfish to 'be yourself', it's actually my duty as a human being, so that I can live life more fully and authentically and be a greater blessing to others because of it.


So what do you, my readers if there are any, think about this subject?

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