The Art of Honesty

Standing up in public and truly being yourself is a tough call.

Standing behind your values can be a pretty daunting concept.

I’m beginning to realise it takes practice, practice, and more practice to shake off all the layers of personality and image your mind has wrapped you in for so long.

This is a path I’m currently exploring. The art of being honest, the art of transparent communication. Standing up in public and being completely open and honest about what I’m doing, where I’m going, and why.

It’s fucking scary.

I’ve spent the first three decades of my life trying to be what I thought everybody wanted me to be.

I was bullied in school. I was the smallest kid in class, I generally did pretty damn well with my grades (when I wasn’t procrastinating), and I was always scared of someone that was giving me a hard time because they were scared that I was better than them.

I became pretty good at knowing what to say to stay out of trouble.

As I left school, and ventured into the “real world” of tertiary education, it was the beginning of a realisation.

You can be whoever you want to be, as long as you have the courage to believe it.

I figured this out pretty quickly.

But I didn’t believe it.

I’ve been privileged to meet and know some amazing people, many of whom I’m lucky enough today to call my friends.

I’ve been witness to many personal, professional and spiritual journeys and awakenings. I’ve learned a lot simply by observing these people believing in themselves and finding the courage to grow.

Now I’ve arrived at a place where image doesn’t matter so much. A place where it’s no longer easier, or necessary, to put on an act and blend in with the crowd.

I don’t need to stay safe. I have nothing to fear other than fear itself (I love that cliche), because it holds me back from following my dreams.

I’m a geek. I’m a tech nut, I love technology. I love art, I love psychology, and I love strange and wonderful music.  I love noticing the little things, and I love watching humans as they’re busy being people.

I’m a hippie at heart. I believe every one of us throughout this universe has the energy and courage within ourselves to realise we’re amazing, and to cast off the limiting beliefs society has helped us create, so that we can all be transparent.

We can be honest with ourselves and with the world about what moves us, what scares us, and what fuels the fires of passion within us.

With that passion dancing at our fingertips, we each have the power to live an amazing life.