Life is no highway or paved road. Along everyone’s trip, there are several bumps, curves, and train lines to cross. Here is how to live free and true.
Ever been asked if you would die for what you believe in? How many times have you heard the phrase “every man dies, but not every man lives”? Isn’t that a true statement? It certainly is, in my opinion. I have been asked if I would die for what I believe or if I would lie to stay alive. The fact is, if you are willing to give up on what you believe to keep your heart beating, then you are dead already. At least, you may as well be.
Don’t Lose Yourself
Okay, let’s not mistake what I mean here. I don’t want you to be like Mel Gibson, who was a rebel in that movie. I am not saying go out and rebel against everyone for every time someone mistreats you or does something you don’t believe in. Allow no one to determine what you think or how you feel in your heart. One shouldn’t ever feel like they have to lie to fit in, to live, or to be respected. If anything, backing down from your beliefs would give reason to disrespect you. That is the way it goes.
Stick Up For Your Beliefs
Remain true to your heart, mind, body, and soul. If a person wants you to do something that doesn’t sit well in your stomach…well, there is a good reason it doesn’t sit well. This feeling means that deep down you know what you are about to do isn’t the right thing for you. It’s OK for certain things to be acceptable to others but not to you. This doesn’t mean you are “uncool” or a “prude”, amongst other awful things said. There’s nothing wrong with setting and maintaining limits. At the very least, understand this: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH REMAINING TRUE TO YOUR IDENTITY AND MORALS. PERIOD.
Figure Out Who You Are
The best way, I have found, to staying true to your beliefs, is to first figure out what your beliefs are. This portion takes some effort to figure out, but it is absolutely achievable. Nothing in this world can effect you negatively if you know where you stand with yourself. Write down your likes and dislikes, this provides a great way of finding a pattern. What makes your heart hurt? Does seeing homeless puppies make you sad? Does the idea of eating cows make you want to ralph? Anything that inspires compassion is almost certainly something you care about passionately. Take note of this and refer to it in the future.
Last But Never Should Be Least
Do some soul searching. Look deep inside and write about what you feel, think, aspire to be, hopes, dreams, fears, all of it. WRITE IT ALL DOWN. Having a list right there in front of you can help you prioritize what you feel inside and allow a little peep hole to open up so you can see inside yourself. Remember to listen to your heart and mind when they speak to you. You will know when something feels wrong or if it feels right. If it makes your stomach drop, you probably should avoid it. If it lifts you up, figuratively, then it’s safe to go ahead. Just listen to yourself and you will be lead down a path of happiness that you were able to pave, partly, yourself.
