Be DEEP
(But don’t judge yourself for when you show up as shallow. Sometimes shallow is good fun!)
Be SERIOUS
(But take your fun, pleasure and enjoyment seriously too)
Be WISE
(But remember that the ultimate wisdom is in knowing that you don’t REALLY know so don’t fight over ‘facts’)
Be POWERFUL
(But remember that true power isn’t just about MAKING things happen but also in ALLOWING them to happen without them diminishing you)
Be STRONG
(But remember that true strength allows for gentleness and vulnerability BECAUSE of that strength)
Be PROFOUND
(But allow yourself the right to be profane when the mood suits you)
Be TRUTHFUL
(But use your truth as a caress and not a hammer blow on either yourself or others)
Be FEARLESS
(But don’t confuse fearlessness with either folly or fighting)
Be a WARRIOR
(But remember that the word, quite literally, translates into ‘one with the bravery to face themselves’ and not someone seeking combat with others)
Be COMPASSIONATE
(But don’t forget to give that gift to yourself before you focus on giving it to others)
Be FAIR
(And remember that fairness is not the same as kindness. Kindness isn’t always fair and fairness may not always seem kind at the time, but it will later)
Be FREE
(But remember that your freedom is only TRULY freedom if it makes you happy. Watch out for the kind that rids you of ‘rules’ and ‘boundaries’ yet still keeps you from happiness)
Be HAPPY
(But don’t hide from sadness. Avoid misery and suffering by all means, but not sadness. Sadness is just your tender side showing compassion and kindness for yourself and others)
But above all…
Be YOU!
Follow NO-ONE
(But don’t be afraid to share part of their journey as a fellow traveller)
Accept NOTHING
(But respect everything and everyone as well as their right to believe what they believe)
Believe NOTHING
(Except that which resonates as right and true within your own heart no matter what the source, how persuasive the ‘evidence’ or how forceful an convincing the messenger)
Harm NO-ONE
(Tread lightly through this life but distinguish pain from harm. You will often cause pain in people’s lives but resolve not to harm)
Love NO-ONE…
…above yourself. Not your partner, your children, your ‘tribe’ or even your God.
But love NO-ONE less than yourself either.
Not your partner, your children, your ‘tribe’ or your God.
And if you forget all else, remember this…
You.
Are.
Here.
Now.
YOU are here. YOU are In this time. YOU are at this place.
YOU.
So don’t waste your time here being like someone else, speaking like someone else, showing up like someone else or waiting for someone else to come along and rescue you by ‘showing you the way’ or ‘giving you permission’ to be yourself.
Just BE what you want to be, HOW you want to be and WHO you want to be!
You are here.
You’re now.
You’re enough.
Yes… YOU!
Truth, joy and love
Dax