Create the Life of Your Dreams: Express Yourself

      Today I'm going to talk about one of the best ways to explore life and figure out who you are: by expressing yourself! Man, self-love is just looking better and better! We've already learned how expressing your weird and radical self is a way to smash the capitalist patriarchy. Now we're going to see how expressing yourself to the your greatest heights and following your heart is quite possibly the best way to move through life, both for you and everyone around you! Let us embark:

      Expressing yourself as deeply and fully as you can will get you where you want to go, accompanied by the kind of people you want to be with. How can this be true? Well, when you express yourself fully and completely, this means you will speak and act your truth. Your truth is who you really are. what you really think, feel, care about, etc. 

     To apply this to a situation, let's say that you're in the company of someone who you have recently met and who you are romantically interested in. You're talking to them and you suddenly see that they are pretty sexist. You are a radical being and you are not about to let the patriarchy win. But you like the person. What are you going to do? You have two options. Let it go or speak the truth. If you let it go, and you keep on doing so, you may wind up in a relationship with some sexist bozo. Ouch. If you speak your truth either to the other person or just to yourself, you might get into an argument or end your relationship with that person, but trust me, you are much better off without a sexist partner as your significant other. 

    Speaking your truth about what you really want and who you really like and how you truly feel will help you avoid situations that don't serve you and that you are not interested in. It will also help you find the situations that you are interested in! 

     For example, let's say that you have heard about an organization in your community that you are really interested in but haven't had time or the courage to go and visit/volunteer for. But let's say that one day you decide to act on your truth, meaning you go to the organization and get involved! Yay! Because you are doing this thing that you are really interested in, you will be exposed to all kinds of new concepts related to whatever it is you are interested in. You will learn a lot! You'll get exposed to lots of opportunities related to what you're interested in which can take you to all kinds of wonderful places, geographically and spiritually. You will also meet a bunch of people who have something in common with you since they are affiliated with that organization. You'll make friends and social networks! Following your heart by fully expressing and following your desires will facilitate all kinds of personal growth as well, which means you will learn more about who you are along your way. All of these positive things simply came from one thing, you acting upon your truth. 

   So now we know that expressing you weird, radical, and beautiful self through speaking and acting your truth (aka doing whatever you want and acting on your desire/following your heart) allows you to learn more about what you're interested in, get cool opportunities that may take you cool places, meet people who are interested in the same things (and also probably cool and friendly since part of speaking your truth will probably involve keeping up relationships only with people who meet that criteria), and most importantly learn more about yourself! Doesn't that just sound like a dream come true? But, how exactly does one fully, deeply express oneself? Well, lucky for you, I've got tips for that. 

    The key to expressing oneself fully, deeply, and completely, is simply about listening to yourself. Listen to your inner voice and do what it asks. If it wants to wear a bandana around its neck even though your inner self-critic thinks that's weird, go ahead. If it wants to volunteer at a garden even though your inner self critic is afraid you'll suck for some reason, go do it anyway. We've all got wishes and desires, secret and long-harbored longings to do this, go there, wear that, make this. Act on those desires. Follow your heart, let your intuition lead the way when deciding what to do. Keep in mind what is best for you and what will cause you to experience the most personal growth. 

    Simply giving yourself enough space and freedom from the fear constantly voiced by your inner critic will be enough to let you see what you want to do. Then all you have to do is go do it! 

    I challenge you to try this out tomorrow. When you get up in the morning, wear something awesome. Creatively express yourself through your appearance. Shake up your daily routine by asking yourself, "What do I really want to do today?". Make time for that and do it. 

    Lately, acting on my truth has involved spending a lot of time outside. While this has resulted in a few sunburns and mosquito bites, it has also lead me to an increased sense of happiness and peace, productivity (I read much better in the sunlight), and new social experiences (recently while doing my reading outside I met some potential housemates for next year! But that's another story). Even the simple act of following my heart by spending more of my time outside has lead to personal growth, happiness, and new situations. 

    I'm telling you man, get weird! Get out there! Dress the way you want! Go to awesome and interesting events! Explore the world around you! Meet new people! Get involved! Express yourself and follow your heart, the universe is your playground and treasure chest, two in one. Good luck. 

                                                                   Love, 

                                                                       Madeleine

    P.S. If you need more encouragement, here's Labrinth:

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