The World Is A Hot Mess, But You Don’t Have To Be

Think carefully about what's important to you, and become a self-influencer

Meditation is a part of my “almost everyday” practice. Whenever I take advantage of it, I ask for guidance on how I can be of service to those who read my writing.

What arose recently was how we must address our mental health needs by blasting through the damaging messages of “who you need to be” to find happiness and success, instead of the far more important question of who you are.

Who you are is found in your values, your north star if you will.

Imagine for a moment that you were so in touch with your values that if you were asked to do something that wasn’t aligned, you’d know exactly what to do. Even if it was hard because then you’d feel your inner strength.

That feeling, of knowing you’ve honored who you are, is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself. But it doesn’t come easily.

Why it’s hard to honor who you are

The challenge is that we’re living in a world in which the messaging continues to tell you that who you are isn’t enough, that you need to be someone else to achieve success, feel happy, and fulfilled.

This creates an incredible mental and emotional strain.

Instead of self-assurance, you’re plagued with anxiety and doubt as you try to push through to being someone you’re not.

Consider the term “influencer”.

Frankly, I really hate that word and all it’s come to stand for.

Recently a friend shared that her young granddaughter’s aspiration is to be an influencer. I asked, perhaps naively, of what?

Oh, that wasn’t too clear, but there’s money to be made.

Apparently.

What I don’t seem to see or hear anywhere, is any sense of the responsibility of someone in that role. What are their values, and what kind of difference do they hope to make in the world?