Inspiring Stories » The Power of Authenticity
Learning Self Esteem and Happiness
Hi Bears,
I want to send you a letter of gratitude. Gratitude for so many things:
for being you; for being you in the BIG way you are you in the world
so that I have a role model; for marrying Samahria so that I have her
to love and for a role model; for having Raun, "my favorite teacher"
(he knows what that means); for starting and continuing The Option
Institute which I know is just for me; for the fabulous staff at
Option each of whom I know are there just for me; for each of the
courses I have taken, and sometimes taken twice; and especially for the
Mentor Certification Training Course which is also just for me. I AM
SO GRATEFUL!
When I say that each of these things and people are there just for me,
I'm only joking a very little. I really feel that it all was started so
that I could avail myself of the healing and restructuring of myself
that I have gotten for myself. Some people might call that an
egocentric point of view; I call it a grateful point of view!
My month at Mentor Training at The Option Institute was fabulous beyond
belief and I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants the
opportunity to grow themselves bigger as well as further develop their
mentoring skills. I feel so profoundly solid inside myself and I am so
grateful. I no longer want or need to take care of myself by "feeding
the wolves" of depression, not smart enough,victim/helpless, the world
isn't safe, confusion, blame, something is wrong with me or
inauthenticity. I "feed the wolves" of happiness, self esteem,
gratitude, love, acceptance and authenticity. I now feel like the
person I "was meant to be": strong, capable, happy, accepting and
authentic. The Mentor Training month helped me solidify these qualities
as well as theclarity of exactly how to stop feeding the former wolves
and to only feedthe latter wolves (it wasn't automatic- at first I only
fed those former wolves a little, then I just patted them frequently
and then I set up a "petting zoo" for them so someone else would take
care of them and I'd know where they were in case I just wanted to give
them a little pat, and then finally I took down the petting zoo and
freed the wolves completely God knows there are enough people who are
doing unhappiness and the many forms of victim/helpless who can provide
the wolves with their care and feeding). NOT ME! I AM SO GRATEFUL!
I came home a different person in some profound ways. I no longer NEED
a relationship with Ted or with Bronwyn. I realize now that I have
always needed those two relationships and therefore I was unable to be
completely authentic with either of them. I am now authentic in every
relationship;and, as you have always said, there are
consequences.Bronwyn is furious with me because I'm saying what I want
in my relationship with her and with her children (she's particularly
upset because I said I only want to have the kids one or two at a time,
not all 4). She's not speaking to me and seems to be motivating herself
(and wanting to motivate me) with anger, annoyance and frustration. I'm
thrilled to finally have freed myself to say what I want, what I think
and how I feel. Ted and I are working on having a completely authentic
relationship. For now it's a bit bumpy, but it's my belief that we will
end up as best friends for the rest of our lives based on being
ourselves, not on what we each think the
otherwants/needs/thinks/feels.I AM SO GRATEFUL!
I realized during the month that my power is in being authentic and in
myself love and self acceptance. I will not give that away to anyone
for anything. I found my "Buddha Self" inside of me being, knowing
and loving and that's where I center myself. It is rock solid. I AM SO
GRATEFUL!
I hope you are well and that you had a wonderful vacation/trip wherever
you were. I missed you the last week but it also was wonderful without
you and
With gratitude and Big Love,
Robin McCarthy, Social Worker
