One of the most difficult things for me to realize during my deconstruction was that I didn’t have to be or do anything. In the religious culture I grew up in, there was the constant challenge to do those 2 things: 1. Be something.
2. Do something. In my context it was usually: 1. Be super Christian
2. Do convert the world. But eventually, I began to realize that what was most important was for me to be myself. The light first went on when I realized I couldn’t love my neighbor as myself if I didn’t love myself. And I couldn’t love myself unless I knew myself.
And I couldn’t know myself unless I was myself! For some reason, the idea that my authenticity, or even just my attempts to be authentically me, was the most important thing I could do for myself. It started early for me. But it took decades to unfold to where I am today... I’m still unfolding.
And I will continue to unfold.
But you know what?
That’s okay.
Because that’s the point! Are you unfolding too?
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