Over the last few days I have gradually started to realise the extent of how often I try to be someone or something I am not. The reasons are various: wanting to fit in, wanting to please, thinking that someone else is doing things better than me.
Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.
Today I asked myself, “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?
Could you imagine a famous artist copying a work of art by someone else? Of course they might, and due to experience and talent would be able to create something that would look as near to the original as could be, but it would lack its essence.
There are some artists that follow trends, or try to produce works that will sell well, but if you look at works of art that really have an impact on people over the course of centuries, you will often realise that it is not the perfection that sets them apart, but the unique expression of the artist who created them.
This unique expression is something we all have. It could, for example, be the way we see, do or sense things, the way we dress, how we do the garden, the way we connect with others, the amazing way in which we cook, how we bring people together. These gifts to us all, as a humanity, are endless.
Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.
When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world. We are the only ones who are able to bring them, as no one else can bring them in the way we are able to, and only if everybody brings their piece of unique expression, will the puzzle be complete.
I do not need to copy anyone in anything. Be it to eat what others eat, dress like somebody else or carry out my job in the same way that somebody else would approach it. Not only do I not need to be like someone else, in fact I cannot become someone else. Even if I reach such a goal, I will feel no lasting joy or satisfaction, as it will not be me that I have found.
So, snuggling up under the blanket this morning, enjoying the warmth and the lightness in my body, I could deeply feel how I am fine as I am, just being me, and instead of making plans of what to do, or thinking about what most probably might need to be done, I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.
In this case this meant not rushing out of bed and getting to my desk to finish some computer work immediately, but instead, first of all, gently getting up, making my bed and preparing myself a cup of tea. I then dressed as I felt to and went for a short walk in the woods and when I sat down at my desk, suddenly the work that had been so challenging and time-consuming the days before was now finished in just more than an hour, because I had sat down with the joy from my walk and worked with focus and ease.
Approaching my day in this way involves much less effort, emotion and potential frustration – if any at all – rather than trying to copy an image of a certain situation or person which I would allow my mind to suggest, as it does not focus on a certain outcome, but starts from an openness.
Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not.
This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.
By Michael Kremer, Personal Assistant, Buchholz, Germany
Further Reading:
True Expression – Our Superpower!
Returning to our essence
Changing your life
Each piece of the jigsaw puzzle is as important as every other. When we all know who we truly are the all is complete.
Michael this was a great blog to read because from reading it I realise I have been walking on egg shells. I’m traveling with a work colleague and I haven’t wanted to feel how I am being watched down to the smallest detail now that I have given myself permission to admit this I can let go of the tension I have been holding on to. It’s okay to feel that people react to what I bring to the world as we are so unused to feeling true love in the world that we doubt it can be true. I doubted too, so I know how it feels when you want to believe in true love but don’t want to believe in case it doesn’t last.
The mind wants a picture of how we should be, it takes a lot of effort to meet those expectations to then find our investment comes back dud. Feeling how to be, from our whole body requires no effort at all and can feel really grand.
Thank you Michael, as a blank canvas we are open to energy and when we move in the most loving ways as you have shared the energy we can connect to become sacred to us and we can then live in that sacredness and feel that vibration with the ability to live with a responsibility for everything we do.
I agree Greg, I can feel a quality in my movements and a desire to love myself. This is in complete contrast to how I had been living. I was one of those people that would self-bash in defense of what others might say. Which looking back is a really weird way to live? Thankfully I have put the cudgel down and it is such a relief to do so.
Living who you truly are in your beauty and fullness will inspire another to live likewise.
When I look around me, I see so many people, mainly the younger generation, trying to be someone that they are not, fiercely encouraged by so many outside influences, including the media, the beauty industry and the music industry. How different, and much easier, their lives would be if they realised that they are a unique masterpiece, that there is no one else like them in the world, a world where they absolutely belong just like everyone else, and their uniqueness.
When we connect to being ourselves life flows effortlessly.
The art of being oneself is to breath a gentle breath – god’s breath. Breathe gently and feel oneself from the inside out.
When we meet someone in their essence, expressing who they truly are, and we too are connected in the same way, we cannot help but love them completely.
There is a vast difference between trying to copy someone we admire and being inspired by them to be all that we are.
The key words throughout this blog for me were: essence, expression and unique. Because out of the 7 Billion people in the world although in essence we are all equal our expression and qualities are unique. How wonderfull would it be if we truly and deeply connected to this (our essence and unique expression and quality) and lived from this way appreciating what we and others bring. The world would be a completely different place and comparison and jealousy could live no more.
When you feel your Soul and all its joy and glory, the only person you ever want to be is you.
“This unique expression is something we all have” This is beautiful. We should support each other to appreciate the unique ways in which we express.
Absolutely and what a beautiful way to celebrate each other and let go of the evils of competition and comparison.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” Michael this is a carbon copy of myself from child to mature woman. It took decades for me to understand that all I had to be was myself.
We are the only ones who can bring our piece of the puzzle – so true but today I can feel it even more deeply from my body.
“This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.” this I am slowly learning to feel the joy in being me, and sharing the me with others.
We are all chameleons until we actually know ourselves then is possible to be ourselves.
Being not who we are is our greatest pain. For we are naturally so strongly beautiful. Leaving that is therefore a very painful experience.
This brings up for me the protections that I have been holding which have separated me from others and stunted our evolution. It reminds me of when I am absolutely and totally expressing from my essence and how beautiful it feels… what a sense of freedom and power in my body and the beauty I feel as I interact with the world.
Being the real you, you think wouldnt be that hard but in actual fact we have adopted so many ways of being that are not who we are meant to be , we lose sight of our natural Essence. Taking time to stop and reconnect is very important and you instantly feel me more real and grounded.
When we finally come to understand, and own, that we are our own magnificent masterpiece we can start to throw away the ‘paints’ we have used for so long in the futile attempts to copy another. How liberating it is to know you are a unique being but then to begin to live this uniqueness is potentially life-changing.
We are in essence all the same, yet in expression all unique. When you take it back to this truth how can there be separation, conflict and everything else we do not truly want in this world when actually being all one is so so gorgeous?
Our essence is what gives life to who we are, our body and true purpose of being here. With our connection to our essence, our Soul, we bring to life the vibrancy and the vibration of all that is true and real, and there is nothing more inspirational than feeling the brilliance of another shining the love that we all are in essence.
Trying to make ourselves someone or something that we are not is to not know who you are.
It’s so gorgeous when we allow ourselves to be absolutely true to how we are feeling. We can’t help but enjoy ourselves and feel the preciousness that we are.
We are so used to living a way that is acceptable, ‘normal’ and human – or so it seems – but it is not true. The real us is beyond all of this. It’s not something we can own but a quality of flow of the universe we can let through. Thank you Michael how this goes for you.
There is no one on earth quite like you. We all know that, but through whatever reason attempt to join those around us by being like them. The world needs each and every one of us to live the true person we are.
So true Heather and each and every one of us an absolute gift with what we can bring through and reflect when we allow ourselves to be who we innately are.
The world needs each and every one of us to live the true person we are. Beautifully expressed Heather.
It is great to expose and sit with this – the fact that we can avoid being ourselves and then we get to the point where people don’t know who the true us is. It has come up for me in the past and still, there are times when I behave in a way that is not me because it plays into what the other person likes. A huge falsity to crack.
Copying someone, not trusting in the flow of unfolding no matter of yourself or another is simply control and nothing that is from true service.
What a beautiful blog, Michael! There is no grander beauty in someone, than being themselves. Just by letting out the essence and qualities that they are and bring this to the world. It is simple as that. Comparison will never set us free from living our true purpose in life.
No, comparison just puts us in a box of our own making and choosing. We all lose out when that is what dominates someones life.
We are already everything so, to be given a task we have everything to complete it.
Letting go of our layers of protection and allowing our true self to come out and shine makes so much sense.
Even just the picture at the top – ‘The Art of being me’…. creative, fluid and full of humour beautifully framed in whatever way we choose.
Giving ourselves permission to shine and be our amazing selves makes so much sense.
Thank you Michael, this is a great blog for me to come back to. I still find it comes up for me to be like another. In life as it is particularly with celebrities, pop stars, sports icons and other so called role models there is a general consensus that we then want to be like them. Until I met Serge Benhayon I had never met anyone who was a role model who actually said “be yourself”. Even how products and fashion are advertised is to sell an image of what you can become, so much is appealing to a sense of emptiness or a lack of self worth and a lack of knowing and appreciating who we are. Most of the images we are sold of people and products are there to offer a false sense of self, another carbon copy of something. There is a lot on offer to become someone else.
I am learning to settle much more into myself and allow myself to work out what I truly love in life. I recently have been appreciating more freedom and flow in my body and was purchasing clothes recently and could feel the change in me, in how I held my body and the type of clothes that I like to wear, it has been great fun to learn to open up and play with this more.
“..but if you look at works of art that really have an impact on people over the course of centuries, you will often realise that it is not the perfection that sets them apart, but the unique expression of the artist who created them.”
The uniqueness of expression is available to all of us, it is just our choice to live it or not,thank you Michael for sharing your uniqueness.
How sad it is that the majority of humanity have not been raised to know who we truly are, and that is one very amazing and unique being. But it is never too late to claim our amazingness and begin to live life in total connection to our divine essence; it is definitely a much easier way to live than the way most of us chose.
I love that you sat down at your desk with the joy from your walk so that when you then went to do your work it was with an ease rather then a heavy tension.
Amazing the simple things we can do for ourselves which can transform our whole day.
Uncovering the masterpiece that we truly are is a painstaking process that is well worth the time and effort.
To simply be oneself is the greater gift and far less exhausting when no longer at the mercy of the external world,
I love this blog Michael, I love that you gave yourself permission to be yourself and I love that you shared this with us as there is something incredibly empowering in your words . Thank you.
Giving ourselves space allows room for being us… otherwise in the rush and doing of life, what versions of ourselves is the world getting?
For me, what makes this world of ours so very wonderful is the uniqueness of each one of us, but sadly many spend so much time trying to be something/someone that they are not and as a result their uniqueness gets layered over with unauthentic copies of others. Not accepting the original copy that we are is so very natural whereas in stark contrast trying to be someone that we are not re-configures us in such a way that our body and our life is affected in many deleterious ways.
How lovely to take the time, to refresh the quality of our relationship with oneself to the point of being ourselves in our true essence.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” So true Michael. When we do express it gives others permission to do so too.
Mastering the art of being ourselves allows us each and every one of us to be a masterpiece in the jigsaw of human life.
Gorgeous blog to read and a beautiful reminder that all we are ever asked is just to be ourselves in this world, and when we allow ourselves to be seen in all our tenderness and vulnerability, we open ourselves to receive everything we ever need to walk this life journey. And it offers all others a reflection and invitation to be themselves too.
I’ve come to realise I haven’t had a very strong sense of myself at all, and it struck how strange it is that I have been able to go through so much of my life without this sense of myself. Who have I been all this time? I’ve thought I was me, but was I really? Have I been letting a whole bunch of energies in that haven’t been me? Yes, probably. It strikes me that deeply feeling and knowing oneself is an absolute asset in life and leads to consistency, steadiness and far less reactivity.
Whenever we move away from being who we are, our Soulfulness becomes masked and we lack Soul. For in-truth our brilliance is known through living in connection to the light of who we are, the light of our Soul.
We are all integral pieces of the jigsaw of life and it is only by committing to being me that I find my true place.
Exactly Helen, commitment to bringing all that we have to offer is when everything falls into place and life is no longer a battlefield but rather life becomes a joy to share and to express ourselves and to know and feel the true meaning of love – that we are all equal in our true powerful essence.
What is wonderful to appreciate here is that when we live this true vitality and potential our place is the constant connection to our movements each and every day.
” Today I asked myself, “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way? ” This is such a wonderful question , perhaps there is a force which does not want you to be the full you and this force benefits in some sad way by the result of forcing us not to be who we truly are in full .
What a difference it would make if children were supported from birth to know they are already everything they need to be and innately beautiful.
Why invest in works of art when we can invest in ourselves, our most precious possession.
This is real art, the art of living who you are and not try to copy any picture you may hold. Life then becomes a flow compared to the constant struggle we experience life to be on a regular basis when we try to match any picture or concept we hold in our mind.
Really the only true success in ones life can be measured on how much they live their true selves.
It seems that we morph ourselves into whatever we can to feel that we fit in… anything rather than be our true selves on case we stand out or feel exposed. Take a step back and it seems crazy that nearly everyone is in this position. What if we really appreciated our unique qualities and began from young to celebrate these?
Michael you are a true heart melter! Your gorgeousness shines through in this blog. It’s such an important topic as so many people feel they are not enough, need to improve themselves, to be “better”, or even to be someone else. I enjoyed your words on our unique expression, they way we each do things and express in this world, you’ve inspired me to look more closely at this and appreciate my own uniqueness.
I love this blog Michael. I can feel the deep respect in your rhythm and how this allows you to be and express from who you are. This is the most exquisite piece of art, unrepeatable as we all are.
‘Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.’ I have done this a lot in my life and I always made myself lesser in this comparing way of life. It’s not a joy- and truthful way of life but a life built on security and safety that doesn’t fit.
Coming back for another enjoyable read this morning I could feel how amazing it would be if every school had a subject called the “The Art of Being Me”. This would be a beautiful confirmation that each and every child has their own unique expression and that the world needs their expression as much as the expression of the child sitting next to them; no one’s is better that another’s, they are all as equally amazing and valuable.
If we are able to inspire our children to honour appreciate and love their own uniqueness , we have done well.
“When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world.” This is a beautiful quote and one that shows that when we bring our own flavour of expression without judgement to the world we can inspire another to do the same showing a great depth of understanding for others and also a level of responsibility that is amazing to share.
To have the world full of people expressing without judgment would restore our way of being to the true brotherhood it is meant to be.
What a beautiful and refreshing blog Michael. I love what you have expressed here, it feels freeing, inviting and expansive;
“Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not”.
How easy it is being who we truly are. When we walk in union with every particle of our body and when we express from our essence, the truth we feel inside, we offer every single person who we share our day with our innate and very beautiful reflection. What a gift that is for humanity.
I love this great reminder of something crucially important Michael! We spend more time trying to be someone else, living up to a picture or ideal than being our natural selves. Is this because we think living ourselves is not as good as living up to someone who is seemingly better? Have we given up on ourselves in someway because it has not given us the life we want? But are we even living our essence in full anyway or have some pictures and ideals of who we should be snuck in?
Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not. Absolutely Michael, as your talking about honouring yourself enough to give yourself the space to move in a way that confirms who you are and then express in that confirmation, and in that, naturally express your truth.
I love that experiment with getting up and doing what you felt like doing before sitting down to do some work. I’m not in the least bit surprised that you were able to knock it over in no time. The stress and anxiety we bring to tasks inevitably stunts their completion because all our energy goes into the worry rather than just knowing and accepting we’re enough and that we can of course get the work done simply.
“This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.”Thank you Michael for a beautiful sharing, This is an art I had for many lifetimes forgotten but step by step in this life I am reclaiming.
We are the key to who we will be and no-one can be us as we have our own unique but equal expression to bring to the world, that is very much needed, so there is no judging what that is or how it should look, just an allowance and openess to share all of us as best as we can.
You can say that it is an art to be me and that there is an art in living life in accordance with that and anything we then produce in the physical, may it be a piece of writing a painting, something we crafted for our work then can be called a piece of art too in the same way we are so inspired by the paintings and work of Leonardo da Vinci.
A beautiful rediscovering of your tender essence. We can spend many lives searching outside ourselves and completely miss the essence that has never left us within.
From the article I can see there is a flow to life, a rhythm or a cycle that is there naturally to support us in every move. We can choose to listen to this and allow the flow or we can choose to do it our own way. In this flow we have a uniqueness and yet an equal and a oneness with everything. We spend so much time trying to make a stamp on the world and end up chasing our tail in most case when in fact if we would just allow the flow or follow the feelings we truly have then all is already done for us. I have and still do chase parts of the world around, needing to get this or do this or have this done. It’s not that you don’t do things but equally or with respect to the how or the quality of the ‘do’. There is an order, or as I have said a natural flow to life that we push through to bring a result. Where this flow needs to be taken care of, honoured if you like or adhered too. It’s not difficult as the birds in the sky will reflect, it’s truly easier and yet it’s not our default choice. ‘We’ think we need to do all manner of things and yet our first choice comes back to energy, what is our choice of quality in what we do. Are we going or listening and allowing the ‘flow’ to guide our doing or have we popped out to get something done.
A beautiful portrait of art, an appreciation of all that there is, appreciating oneself and thus everything else.
I am really only beginning to truly appreciate what I bring to the world and what my purpose is here and to live it in a continuum rather than snippets. I love how you call it ‘The Art of Being Me’ for that is, in truth what it is. There is a lightness and playfullness and a joy that we live when we allow ourselves the grace to be in this way.
To be raised to know our essence, to know that we are all equal parts of the human family and that we bring our own ‘flavour’ to the world would be such an amazing start to our lives; lives that would then have the opportunity to be naturally full of joy and love as we live everything that we naturally are.
I think we learn at school to copy and do exactly the same things as the teacher to be successful. This might have an impact in how we develop ourselves personally as well, we copy how other people around us are doing it. I did this for sure and can sometimes see oh this I think I feel because I copied this person, this even goes to the way I think about things. There is indeed an art to being ourselves and expressing in our way and it is a joy to work on this artwork I am.
Reading this today I can feel a sadness from not accepting or expressing the real me in my life to the extent that I can. When connected I feel at ease and in a yummy warmth that comes from my body and out, in these moments I have no issues or problems. Trying to be something or do something I think is needed to get done makes me feel tense. I can appreciate having felt this as now I can say I know the outcomes of either choice and the fact that I have a choice is the greatest place I can start.
Getting honest with myself and accepting that I am not the perfect person I have tried to be for so long is a real relief. The idea that simply being me with all my faults is enough, is becoming something I am choosing more often. Its certainly a lot easier that trying to be who I am not, or hiding the parts of me I think will be judged as bad.
Letting go of protection – showing another side reminds me of the multi facets of a gem when uncovered, illuminating, sparkling and reflected their brilliance for all to appreciate. We are the same brilliant gems full of radiance, light and love which is very worth un-veiling.
The art of just being ourselves, that’s beautiful Michael
I love the simplicity and the power of your message in this blog Michael; life certainly flows with grace and love when it is not laced with ideals, beliefs and pictures. Thank you for the beautiful timely reminder to simply be me.
Committing to our relationship with evolution allows us to break down the images that we have lived with making us feel insignificant and insecure and instead embrace all the gloriousness that we are and the key part we all play in the divine plan.
Thank you Michael, I appreciated reading this again today. It’s very inspiring to bring more awareness to my relationship with myself, and if I either try to change myself or do I accept, appreciate, celebrate, and enjoy who I am?
Yes we all have a unique expression, it is however up to us to claim within our selves what that expression is for us. To not compare ourselves to others, what they can do or how they express. But to feel within our own qualities, openness, love and how we choose to express that.
We have indeed created a whole culture of looking and copying role models on TV, internet and magazines that we want to emulate, rather than being inspired by people who live their lives in a quality of love and presence.
Thanks Michael, we do have our own unique expression to spice up the divine plan with and it’s not supposed to be held back.
We are each an exquisite artwork, reflecting light and angles like no other, in absolute equalness with all others.
Nothing is more gorgeous than me being me and you being you 😉
Most of us are unaware of just how far away we are from our true selves and just how glorious we all are at essence. Sometimes we can be inspired by someone who is living close or closer to their true essence and that is a very different thing than trying to copy someone. I remember one woman who moved with great grace and carried a certain presence that deeply touched me. That inspired me to reconnect to a similar quality that I recognised I have but was not living because I was living from a false raciness. So yes it is not about looking outside for who we are, but when we are living as who we truly are we can inspire others to connect to that same quality within and also be inspired by others.
We are all a unique spark and play an equal part within our amazing Universe. If we do not live as the unique spark we are and try to emulate a different spark there will be a missing part and the Universe loses out.
I love coming back to this blog, Michael, and the simple joy of giving ourselves permission to truly live from our essence, and not a false version from what we have measured the world wants us to be.
The more I learn to be me the less I am interested in being anyone else because being me is absolutely beautiful.
Our bodies really are very wise, and know exactly what is needed for us and for what we are undertaking at any time, if we just allow ourselves the space to be with our bodies and then move from the impulse or feeling, we then feel. This also brings in the importance of moving and doing things more from a quality of doing, rather than to just get something completed which is usually driven by our minds. This obviously gets things done, but not always with the bodies health in mind.
I like that you call it the art of being oneself. We learn so much to look into the outside to become the person that we are meant to be that we do not even consider that we are already who we are and can simply allow ourselves to unfold what is already there.
Very true – it certainly takes the pressure off to realise we are an exquisite masterpiece and each have been masterful at living who we are from the start.
What a beautiful blog so true with title the art of being me is simple loving and means everything .”Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.”the inspiration and power of reflection is enormous thank you.
The depleting of oneself comes from a lack of appreciation. One comment of appreciation gets the ball rolling towards more joy within seconds.
Trying to be like someone else, or comparing myself with them can leave me feeling exhausted and sometimes sad, because it means that I am not honouring myself and my own unique essence and appreciating who I am. This behaviour is just delaying my own evolution, and as you have shared Michael, how simple it is to let go and let the blank canvas guide me whilst at the same time, allowing life to unfold.
If it is true, that I am already everything – there is nothing to reach, nothing ‘to do’ to become better or what. I would have all responsibility on my side to express what I am. No excuses. No waisting time. No delay anymore. And it is true. All I every wanted is right inside me and everything that gets in the way to be aware of this fact and live it, is what I have put there. IN the way. To be not ON the way. So, yes – lets discover the beauty of me again and enjoy, but also I have to look at why I have stepped away from it and put so much between the ‘amazing me’ and what I live.
The trouble with looking outside of ourselves is that we de-value and erode our own true expression – appreciation of ourself or others is not even within our vocabulary. We may look at others in the hope of being like someone else but it does not come out of appreciation, it comes out of comparison and jealously – in this scenario no one wins. That you have described here Michael feels so much lighter than trying to be someone one else, and so much less effort.
So much of life we get to think there are jobs to be done and roles to play. At work we have job descriptions and goals to acheive, in relationships we have expectations about the normal way we should behave. When you stop and look at it all as you have here Michael well no wonder we are tired and exhausted. When in truth we don’t need to do anything except be and know the wonder of it all.
Simply being ourselves holds such strength, as soon as we waiver or sell out for one reason or another we lose this inner strength, when we look at it like this nothing in the world is worth losing ourselves for.
Giving ourselves the space to feel within and have this as our foundation for the day can only support us deeper to feel our bodies more. Such a key element that I and working on steadily time and time again and have been feeling the depth of where we can actually go to with this.
The more we realise how vast we are the more we enjoy being ourselves. It is obvious but it may be less obvious to do what is necessary to realise how vast we are – being honest, being truthful, choosing to express and receive love.
Awesome Michael. I think we’ve all had a go at trying be something we are not, even in the most subtle ways like taking on a way of speaking to fit in with those around you. I used to adapt my language to suit like a chameleon, without realising just to fit in and not stand out as different. These days I’m more comfortable with who I am and whilst I still get caught ‘pretending’ at times, I catch it sooner and remind myself I have nothing to prove. We all have something to offer, so why on earth would we squash that?!
This is a lovely blog to read first thing in the morning. A message to not rush and simply allow myself to be all of me, imperfections and all. The fact that we are all unique pieces of the same puzzle is a super reminder that we are valuable and needed just as we are.
Thank you Michael for sharing the masterpiece that is you. You have inspired me to get out my paintbrush and begin re-connect to the unique expression that is me, appreciating every little brushstroke along the way, without judgement or comparison, and allowing myself to deepen my connection to my essence which is super powerful, and although I sometimes shy away from my own power, I know it is there… just have to give it permission to come out.
Your beautiful sharing here Michael reflects so well the importance of the quality in what we do, and never is it about a doing, a push or drive. Staying with ourselves in this way and moving from our own gorgeous loving quality, ensures that everything that we do is blessed by this loving care and our bodies are impulsing us and not our heads.
Is it not interesting that we have created a world that to simply be our gorgeous selves it seems like a difficult possibility. Look no further when we connect with our breath and the still quality it has at the tip of the nose. Being introduced to such a powerful technique by Universal Medicine I am fully aware when I am with choosing such an exquisite relationship with myself or Not.
Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it. Michael I feel what you are basically saying here is that, when we move connected to our bodies and only focus on our movements and holding our essence as we move, when we arrive at where we need to be or do, all we have brought with us is our gorgeous selves and no picture of what our arrival or task at hand needs to look like. This way we are unemcumbered by anything and are left as you so beautifully say, with the white canvas.
When we want ourselves to be something else and then go off in search of our ideal model to base ourselves on it raises the question of: why do I want me to be different? Why do I believe I have to be something outside of who I truly am? Where do we get the message in life that being ourselves is not the done thing, unacceptable or even as I have experienced, a risk that comes with consequences? And in the past these perceptions and beliefs have had a reality behind them. But how true are these perceptions and beliefs we claim as being unchangeable or unchallengeable?
‘This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.’ Love this Michael
Being just ourselves is really the most simple thing in the world yet we often make it complicated making issues and given ourselves hang ups that keep us in the delay of actually claiming how awesome we really are.
It’s amazing how the art of being ourselves has absolutely no images at all, we may know we have certain familiar behaviors or interests but the true us is not identified with anything other than who we naturally are.
Gorgeous Michael, it is in our own expression that we will truly serve in this world. When we hold back we deny our purpose on this earth.
Reading your blog Michael I realised just how much effort I put in when I am trying to be emulate someone/something I am not – it is exhausting! In those moments I let all the trying go and allow my own true self simply to be, all that efforting melts away and I feel light, free and connected to all around me.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” I feel that this is something many many of us do, when we are unsure, when we don’t feel a confidence within ourselves, we tend to look outside of ourselves as to what we should do, by looking at how others do things. What we don’t realise is that, what their choices are, are for them, not for us and the greatest gift we can give ourselves, is to go within, trust what is there and live from that.
Bringing the joy of our own expression to work is very powerful. I’m far from having mastering this but even in a moment amongst other people it can change the day for everyone.
I have had a reaction towards copying and imitating for most of my life, especially working in the creative arts industry as well as being born in a country that has mastered imitation as an artistic skill. This reaction came from the knowing that we are all amazing in simply allowing our own self-expression to shine, so there is more to live in that for me, as well as reflecting this truth for everyone to feel and come to their own conclusions.
“This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me”.
How very beautiful and inspirational Michael. Today, and each day to follow, I will practise the art of being me, what a joy!
A big part of this discussion is about the ‘I’ that we each understand ourselves to be.
Your words Michael help me see how I am constantly switching uniforms throughout the day – ‘the diligent worker’, ‘the good student’, ‘the jovial friend’, ‘the clean housemate’, ‘the attentive and considerate partner’. It is subtle but it seems to me, but these roles all tell me what to say, where to stand and how to be. But what would life be like if I put this script down and realised that this play is not true and mot right? I feel like I would discover underneath that I have a body crying out for me to listen to its cues and needs. It surely is a masterpiece in its own way.
Your first paragraph hit home with me Michael. Trying to be something I am not, or trying to please for want of acceptance, recognition or proving myself can lead to anxiousness and can lead to a downward spiral if I am not careful. We are all unique and accepting this has been a challenge for me at times, but I am realising more and more that when I accept and appreciate myself for who I am, it takes the pressure off to be like others, and if I allow myself to express in my own way, and that way is not wrong, just unique in my own way.
Letting go of attachments to situations or people is so freeing and when I do I feel incredibly still and know what’s to be done next. There is a simplicity with no expectation on an outcome.
I love how you speak about the things that we offer to the world: “We are the only ones who are able to bring them, as no one else can bring them in the way we are able to, and only if everybody brings their piece of unique expression, will the puzzle be complete.”
This is so true, when I feel vibrant it is so much more simple to work.
Michael, this is really lovely, ‘This unique expression is something we all have. It could, for example, be the way we see, do or sense things, the way we dress, how we do the garden, the way we connect with others, the amazing way in which we cook, how we bring people together’, I observe that we do all have these amazing qualities and that we so often do not see and appreciate them in ourselves and are more likely to see these in others, it is lovely that we all have our unique expression and this is to be celebrated.
Michael, this is so gorgeous to read, I love how you share that we are all unique and that ‘I do not need to copy anyone in anything’, I used to think that others did things better than me and I did not appreciate that I have my own unique way of doing things that is equally as important and inspiring, it feels lovely to be appreciating myself more and to not think that I am wrong in the way I carry things out just because they are different to someone else. We all have something unique, beautiful and inspiring to offer.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” It is saddening to think how much we look to others to give us permission to be ourselves. What happens growing up that starts this downward spiral?
We all have our own innate expression and when we try to be anything but that it is not a true expression of ourselves.
This is a very simple statement, but there is an absolute power in its simplicity. Thank you Margaret.
Expressing from our essence is an art, an art that requires no effort at all just the simplicity of allowing ourselves to connect to that which is true for us and express it through our movements, having no expectations just surrendering to the divine.
When I express from my essence, I don’t have to try, there is no comparison with others and I feel light and joyful. Everything I do flows naturally with ease, and there is a part of me that knows I can do anything just by being true to me.
If every person is a work of art, then there is no end to the incredibility of simply walking down the street, sitting on a bus, being at school or work or the post office, because everywhere you turn there will be majesty of another person.
A friend and I were appreciating how different our expression was the other day, and how our reflections allowed us to expand our way of viewing life. We can offer each other so much when we are simply being ourselves, and the world is fuller when we are living true to ourselves. All of our loving reflections can support our way forward adding to the rich tapestry that is our lives.
That’s so cool Victoria. I am learning to appreciate that my expression is unique to me and that if I allow myself to just be me, it takes the pressure off, or should I say the pressure I put on myself, when I compare myself or put myself less than others which is dishonouring of me.
The Art of being me is beautiful ,divine, unique, playful and very refreshing I love it bringing simplicity and appreciation to us all. Your white canvas unfolding from a knowing is very inspiring and true from this place within of connection to the all.
What a beautifully self-honouring start to your day Michael; time that you freely gave yourself, with no conditions. And then when you sat down to work with that “white canvas” before you, the foundation you so lovingly had built was there to support you with whatever came next. Very inspirational indeed!
Copying another person’s version of how to be (which is most likely also not the real them!) just doesn’t make sense. Any way of being that is not exactly who we really are is like a square peg in a round hole. And no matter how nice, popular or attractive that persona is, it is a constant drain in our bodies that know who we are inside out.
There is no greater art than “the art of being me”. To achieve that is the masterpiece of masterpieces and one that forever deepens and illuminates.
Through all of the tides and turns that can sometimes feel like daily life, and the apparent disconnection and lack of true unity in society – all we have to do is be who we are. If we are ready to show who we really are than there is nothing we need to change.
Sometimes we don’t even realise we are not being ourselves, just aware that we are exhausted without fully understanding why. That’s where true friends come in when they reflect us back to ourselves – not necessarily by saying anything but by being or not being themselves and us feeling that.
Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before. This is so true Michael, we can be such great reflectors for others when we choose to walk in our own authority and love, and shine a truer way for others.
It feels like not being ourselves is like swimming against the tide. We put so much effort into moulding ourselves to a picture we hold, it is exhausting, whereas when we are just ourselves, everything flows smoothly. We find our unique rhythm.
I remember growing up and even as an adult there were times where I felt happy to just be myself and others times not. What felt really strange was when I tried to be like others, it never felt right, I often felt a bit sick in my stomach and had this empty feeling inside. I found I was more likely to want to be like others when I didn’t feel great about myself, had lack of self-worth and wanting to live up to an image. What supported me to return to being me again was from allowing myself to feel how awful it was whenever I was choosing to not be myself, that empty feeling and tension in my body was a great reminder.
Beautiful reflection on being who we are and not trying to copy this or that; every expression is needed and together we can reflect the greater all we are all a part of.
How often are we truly ourselves in our relationships? At the end of my marriage seven years ago, my ex-husband said, ‘You’re not the woman I married’ and that is true, because I changed so much over the 41 years we knew each other. I’ve been working on being more honest and being the true me, and thought I’d got there but now, in a new relationship, I heard the phrase ‘I’m seeing a different side to you’ which had me wondering just how open and transparent I have succeeded in being. The different side was exposed when I caught myself in the ‘I can cope’ and ‘I am strong’ way of being when in truth I was feeling very vulnerable. Letting go of that hard streak of independence has enabled me to be more natural around friends, to ask for their help, to appreciate their support and to feel that being the true me is OK.
How much time and effort is put in to not being ourselves when the only way to experience true joy is by completely connecting to and being exactly who we are.
Thank you Michael, the art is to live you all of the time and let this be the trail we leave behind everywhere. There is no such thing as ‘ art is on paper, walls or instruments only – it is a living thing.’ Well well said. So this means we are all parts of art all of the time. So which quality of art are we allowing ourselves to be?
So beautifully expressed Michael. No matter how much we try to emulate someone else it will never come near the beauty of expressing from our own essence.
They say the greatest thing we fear is public speaking. I would venture however that our greatest fear is to reveal our true selves to the world.
There is definitely an art to being me. How I eat, sleep, live each day and the quality I bring to another. And so is there an art of being YOU. We are all painting our own canvas and this blog is a timely reminder to continue to do so with the most gentleness of brush strokes.
To appreciate our essence, uniqueness and qualities we bring is really important as it allows us to be all that we truly are. In a world that is rushed, stressed, abusive and full of comparison this can sometimes be hard but it is great to have true reflections of light of others that are living this way. It gives us permission to do the same and then the ripple affect unfolds ✨
Why do we put so much effort into being someone (or reduce ourselves to some-thing) we are not rather than being inspired to express how we feel?
Great question and for me it feels like part of the answer is in the fact that we simply don’t appreciate ourselves, celebrate or even acknowledge when we do follow those feelings. But then I ask – what would it mean to live in self-appreciation and self-celebration? What do I feel is the reasons or my choices made that led to not being inspired from within?
What if there was an art and a science to being who we are, and our whole life was about learning that art? That would be pretty cool.
We can imitate physicality, and as a culture that is something we have mastered in. And yet light cannot be copied. Light is to be lived and expressed, and the relationship we have with light and with God is Inspiration.
I loved reading this Michael, a great reminder that the greatest thing we can give to humanity is ourselves.
Not knowing or anticipating what is next allows us the freedom to respond to what we are feeling and not what we are thinking.
Michael, this article is beautiful to read, this stands out for me, ‘wanting to fit in, wanting to please, thinking that someone else is doing things better than me.’ I have spent a lot of my life thinking like this and I am just now starting to realise that I have my own amazing, unique ways and that I am no less than anybody else, we are all truly equal and i am just starting to feel how true that is.
I didn’t realise how much I live from my head, I wake up in the morning, and don’t get me wrong there is absolutely nothing wrong with a routine, I love a routine, it’s one of the things that supports me, but I go straight to my head into doing things, complicating decisions, thinking about stuff, instead of keeping it simple and feeling.
When I sat behind my computer in the office today, I could feel the loveliness flowing through my body, consciously. It felt so rich, so natural. I observed how easy I get and got distracted. In a way I’ve chosen to be honest today to choose to see when I’m actually (with) me with the consequences that I’m often not with me. But the exquisiteness of what I felt today is worth connecting to and exploring further. The art of being me!
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” This is such a short-term temporary fix to how we are feeling and resolves nothing. Learning to be truthful and honest, taking responsibility for not feeling how one would like to and resolving the cause of how one is feeling maybe painful and feel very daunting but it is so rewarding to do so and reconnect and live from one’s essence.
‘ “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?’ What great questions to ask ourselves.
Often I put off doing the things I enjoy, like going for a walk in order to get all my work done first. I treat doing the things I enjoy like a reward. I like how you went for your walk first and then sat down to do your work Michael. We need to look after ourselves and our bodies as a priority and then our daily tasks can be approached with a different attitude.
‘When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world.’ This is such a great blog, reflecting how we make our lives complicated by trying to copy what another person eats or how they dress or how they live, or conversely trying to persuade other people to live the way we do, when life is so much simpler when we can all enjoy being who we are. Celebrating our differences allows for an orchestra of expressions that is harmonious in every way.
What a great reminder Michael – it’s OK to be ourselves and not conform to others in order to fit in.
We all have a unique expression to bring to the world and that is what needs to be appreciated.
As I read this gorgeous blog today I felt the joy of being able to approach things exactly as I feel to without false regard for the myriad of impositions that sway me from what I feel is true. I may do some things others find strange and I may make mistakes but the whole idea of approaching a task from what I feel seems amazing and expansive which is enough to make me want to try it.
It is so very lovely to feel yourself moving within your own gorgeous love, and feeling how playful and joyful it feels to move in this way. Being accompanied by your own divine light in a dance with your soul is truly heavenly.
I love your sharing Michael! I agree that we cannot be someone else, and to recognise that, and you say if we did achieve this then it is not me I have found at all. You make much sense here as the individual pieces make up the whole of who we are when put together.
If we all learnt or stayed with the knowing that we are all truly beautiful and enough just being us without having to be the fastest runner, or the best at maths, or be the prettiest we probably wouldn’t feel the need to go copying anyone else.
I have found myself at times getting frustrated by people not doing the job exactly like I would, and in some cases the way others work has made the task at hand simpler and more efficient. Thank you Michael, for a different perspective so I can feel that my life was at the opposite end where I tried to not conform or fit-in.
I Love “the Art of Being Me’; thank you Michael.
I have been so aware lately of what it is that sets me up to be amazing in my day or to create a day of struggle…
It really is about me accepting who I am, feeling what I need and want in the moment and trusting that how I am and what I do from there (from ME) is not only enough but is wonderful.
Re-reading your blog again today Michael – just loving it and it is so true, to invest in who we are is the best investment ever.
Someone once asked me ‘what would it be like to honour everything you felt?” – ” AMAZING! and it’s true, when I don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or what I ‘should’ do, the joy, childlike playfulness feels amazing. And this may be going against everything you ‘think’ you should be doing, all these beliefs we have, or doing the ‘right’ things. We and our bodies know what’s true for us. Sometimes we just need to lighten up and bring some fun back into our lives.
Over the last few days I have gradually started to realise the extent of how often I try to be something I am not”. This is a very exhausting way to live, and a very damaging way on many levels to live. We are basically denying surrendering to God, to our sacredness, saying I am not good enough, I don’t trust myself. I can actually feel how deeply damaging and harmful this is. Way more than we may realise.
The depth of Love and acceptance we hold for ourselves is the reflection we share and it’s beautiful to feel the power this connection quietly delivers, it does not impose or drain it just is the essence we are naturally.
Oh this is such a beautiful expression Merrilee – and so true – it is just a state of being in our essence naturally, nothing more and nothing less.
Just recently I had a healing session around expression, and when I let go of the configuration that I was held in, my whole face changed and I could feel the absolute joy start to come back in me expressing from my body and how gorgeous it feels when my body is right there with me when I speak. I could actually feel how tenderly I could hold my jaw as I allowed the words out.
The more we can appreciate and confirm our own unique expression the more we can accept the grandest powerhouses we all are.
The art of being me, what a great topic to read about and consider this morning. I noticed just yesterday in a meeting where someone was being aggressive and demanding that it was easy to protect and defend, whereas the truth was what hurt most was that this person did not care about the whole, the bigger picture – rather about themselves. Yet in that moment I have the choice and the art to remain me or not. And in remaining me I realise I can’t change what they say or how they may act but simply stay firm in my truth and in that be me.
To be me is the one art I don’t have to learn, just to remember.
Love this Felix – and when we remember we might wonder ‘how come we didn’t remember that before’ – as it is so easy to just be ourselves rather than putting on something we are not.
It is beautiful how when we allow our self to be with ourself and our true essence, what comes forth is usually beautiful and magical. I have been really working on connecting to myself, giving myself that space to come back to my body and with that connection feeling into my movements. I found it has really supported me in my day and in preparation to my night.
Before reading your blog Michael, it never occurred to me how much we like to copy others, it is like we are trying to be someone we are not causing a feeling of emptiness, dis-ease and discontentment. It is when we choose to be ourselves, connect to who we are that we can feel the strength, steadiness, fullness and joy of our essence. Nothing compares to this feeling, so why do we try so hard to be someone else? To me, it is all back to front, it is like we are sold this big illusion to forever chase an identity, to avoid connecting to who we are.
What you’re sharing here Michael is the key to living life with spaciousness instead of constriction, and the freedom that comes with simply letting ourselves be. It takes enormous effort to try and emulate a certain way we think have to be — it’s exhausting! whereas when we let ourselves simply be ourselves, our bodies respond with so much joy and the world around us opens up with possibilities. The day becomes a wonder and as we go about whatever it is we do, we do it in that quality of wonder and joy that we’ve claimed for ourselves.
Accepting ourselves as we are is one of the best gifts we could ever give ourselves. It frees us of so much pressure that we put on ourselves to be someone or something other that who we are.
Living life as me is so much easier and less complicated than living the false animated version of me.
Life is so much simpler with the awareness of knowing all we have to do is connect back to our own essence.
There is most definitely a ‘crippling’ element that comes into play, when we do not feel to be ‘enough’ as the amazing beings that we are, and seek to emulate another. Well said and shared Michael.
This is markedly different than truly being inspired by another – where we do not hold ourselves as ‘less’ in any way, but rather, let in all that another is and the particular quality of their expression. In doing so, we cannot but discover more of who we ourselves, are.
I love the feeling that comes with appreciating that we all have a unique expression. It highlights how amazing it is that we can have a different perspective on the same thing as another person and not be in a position where we have someone who is right and someone who is wrong – it all becomes about the quality of our expression and not our point of view.
My essence, is such a joy to be with and until I knew what it was like to live in that soul-full essence I art-fully dodged being connect to that soulfulness.
So true, we find so many ways to dodge that connection – and once we re-discover and connect again, we wonder why we played that game in the first place…
For so much of my life I lived far away from what I would call “me” yes I would say I was living my life. It’s ironic but also led to a deep sadness within and constant exhaustion in life. What I’ve now come to understand is that life can be lived in a way that keeps me connected to the tender, powerful and deeply loving man that I am and what I felt as a child before I let the world get on top of me. This article is great as it shows all of that happens with simplicity and not trying to get anywhere.
In essence this is what it all comes back to, just being ourselves in full, ‘This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.’
I loved reading about your example Michael, about taking the time to get up in the morning, having a cup of tea, going for a walk and then sitting down to your work, without the overwhelm because you took the time for you. There is an art to living us in life without morphing ourselves for outward expectation.
When the movements that I consistently make build a trust in foundation within myself, this allows me to follow through with being myself just the way I am. Because it is not how I look or how anything looks in one or a few individualized moments that matter, what matters is whether the movements and the overall direction I am heading towards is correct. And if the movement is correct as confirmed by my innermost heart, then no matter what the picture looks like, I will keep moving in that direction.
. It is very tiring and drains our energy to copy someone else’s behaviour and way of being and doesn’t feel natural at all. The ease and flow of our true natural expression is does not drain us at all.
Great blog to ponder on Michael, whilst reading it this morning I was struck by the fact that we do not have to copy anyone or anything. We can certainly be inspired by others and the magic of God; however the canvas is ours, we alone are responsible as to the movement and ‘colour’ expressed and displayed on the canvas.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” – This is so true Michael, and what a service we offer to all just by being truly authentic and expressing from that state of being.
The art of being me receives a great boost when we appreciate ourselves, which can be quite challenging in the beginning, or even after a while. However, when we get better at appreciating ourselves, it is much easier being ourselves.
I really appreciate being able to come back to this blog. It has a freshness and warmth and an innocent self love. It allows me to feel like a child again and inspires me to deepen this precious relationship with myself.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make” Thank you Michael this statement is so so true, holding back when we have something to share never helps anyone and not to mention the pain it creates in our own bodies when love is not expressed.
Michael, I really love reading this article, it makes me feel that I am enough just as I am, it takes away any trying and instead I feel an acceptance and love of myself, of my ways and of my unique expression, thank you.
If we stay true to our expression, and feel completely at home with that, the comparison bug will be hit on the head as well. We’d have no need to look at others to see how or if we are measuring up to anyone else.
“So, snuggling up under the blanket this morning, enjoying the warmth and the lightness in my body, I could deeply feel how I am fine as I am, just being me, and instead of making plans of what to do, or thinking about what most probably might need to be done, I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.” I know this as well Michael, to wake up full of myself and to let my body tell me what to do next from that feeling of being everything that I am. But I do know also the mornings that the thinking kicks in and when I allow these thoughts to rule then my day is completely different as I am not able to feel and enjoy myself in that anymore.
Being ourselves is the most we can be, it is a trick to think it is better to be someone else or that we are not good enough. Copying will not bring us true opportunities we need to learn from. It can only give us a false comfort, not being truly in connection with our essence and thus not getting the challenges that we so often face in the way back to the essence that we are.
Imagine us like classical masterpieces hanging in the greatest gallery. We each sit unique, with our own beauty framed in gold and ivory. And yet when we talk we say ‘oh no I’m just your average Joe’, ‘move along, nothing to see here’ or worse still ‘please look away this sight is not fit for your eyes’. Just how far have we drifted from the real reality of our absolute and unconditional beauty? Perhaps it’s time we stopped critiquing ourselves like a painting in a room, and saw the legacy and size of the artwork of our life. Perhaps then we would not judge our quality at face value? There surely is an art as you say Michael to living in this world, and I feel it inevitably starts with us all seeing we each are a glorious expression, a divine work of art.
I love the way you express the ease in which your day flows when you choose to be simply you.
I’ve experienced moments like this, and it really is awesome to feel ‘full’ in yourself. It can at times be a little difficult to maintain, as we have default mechanisms for coping with certain situations that ultimately don’t always reflect who we are, and allow us to fall back into an old pattern.
This is such an important topic because I know I thought for a long time I needed to be someone else but I also see this in many other people. Knowing that being me is enough and actually needed as no-one can express like I do has been a profound and life changing learning in this life.
The power of just being us raw, uncut and real offers the world a reflection that it is ok to be venerable that it is ok to be delicate and that its ok to just be. Society is always imposing on us we need to be, this or that sort of person and if we are not careful we can get sucked in and fall for the illusion of wanting to be something we are not.
“This unique expression is something we all have” agreed Michael and something I am just beginning to fully accept and explore …”The Art of being Me”
‘This unique expression is something we all have’ – This is so true; we all have something completely unique and important to contribute, and copying others or trying to live in a way that satisfies certain ideals and beliefs reduces the power of this expression.
‘Not only do I not need to be like someone else, in fact I cannot become someone else.’ There is no one person who has experienced what we have experienced in the way we have experienced it, there are no two packages that are the same so why on earth do we think there is a one size fits all approach to life? It’s great for me to ask myself why am I still looking outside of me for answers when all the answers that I am looking for are within me, tailor made in a way that is just right for me to hear them.
‘The Art of Being Me’…the accompanying photograph sums up the joy of it!
Understanding and expressing our own unique expression should be something that is encouraged in us all from an early age, and not pigeon holed in a box with many other and told this is the way it will be. Learning to just be ourselves can quite often come with age, but it also can take a lot of work to get back what we have never lost.
What a great reminder this is Michael, to truly appreciate our own essence which is so unique and no one else can be that- only me! So this is such s great reason to not hold back on life as each of us are needed to complete this journey we are on- no one else can do it for us.
Being me is always the most freeing feeling. And the beautiful thing is that there is always more to discover about how expressive I can be.
Every time I read this blog it gets better!! I now understand how important it is to be who we are, it is a responsibility. Not only is ‘faking it’ exhausting and not fulfilling it detracts from what others could access as well.
And faking it will never make it! Not that life is about making it. Life is all about what energy we choose to connect to.
Thank you Michael – this is very cool. I have been very unproductive lately and after reading your blog I can see I have been crushing myself under the expectations I have on myself and the way I perceive others will judge me. I am blown away by the idea that I can create space in my life by simply being myself.
Why do we spend a lifetime treating ourselves like a house that is for sale? We apply paint to cover any imperfections. Hang pictures on the walls to distract you from things we don’t wish for you to spot and adorn the rooms to show how adaptable the space can be for others. What is wrong with just being who we are, absolutely nothing!
Very inspiring way to begin the day, really feeling what is right for you and putting you first, then taking that deeply cherished and nurtured body and being to work.
In all honestly, there is nothing wrong with copying something that works. As a human society, we have been doing it for years. Asia is a prime example of their attempt to copy the West.
However, the intention which why we copy is the key. If we copy something because we believe we are inferior and need to arise then this comes from suppressionism . This reaps its own problems.
Whereas if we replicate something that truly works and recognise that it is something we can naturally bring also… well that is a different story.
‘This unique expression is something we all have.’ When I read these words Michael, I saw a diamond; unique and sparkling. We are all so precious and unique without having ever to do or be anything else than who we are!
I love the portrayal of unfolding yourself in your life to be like that of an artwork. For that it is! So perfectly so. As it is always an unfoldment of more and more as we bring more and more of our true expression out for all to see.
Its crazy isn’t it, that being ourselves has become so complex. I wonder how we can get back on track to a way of being where being ourselves is all that is required, and everyones ‘self’ is equally awesome and known to be so by those around them.
Michael their is certainly an art to being me, one that starts with how I feel about myself, how I hold myself and the care I take for myself. It’s something I’d not considered growing up as I was working to have the art of being who I thought I needed to be, its great to turn that on its head and come back to me.
As I read this again the question that came to mind was: “Is it possible that we are trying to be someone we’re not because we were never confirmed as the beautiful and unique child we were?” For does it not make sense that if we were confirmed in this way from very young, and honoured for our uniqueness and our innate wisdom, that we would then not be driven by the need to be someone else, we would feel we are enough just as we are.
A quality work of art we each are with our wondrous expression of God.
If we seek to copy, imitate and become another’s living way without claiming this for ourselves we reduce ourselves to nothing less than flimsy imitation copies and never the real deal and our world misses out on the quality of light and expression of love that only we can bring. Be inspired yes – but to copy or blindly follow is a recipe for certain disaster.
I have observed this occur “Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” The more free an open I am with how I express the more responsive and accepted the people feel. I have beens stepping up my expression in a number of ways and it feels like I am breaking some old habits done, hiding has been a habit, but I can feel the irresponsibility in doing so, when truly I have something of worth and love to share and so does everyone else.
“…..if you look at works of art that really have an impact on people over the course of centuries, you will often realise that it is not the perfection that sets them apart, but the unique expression of the artist who created them.” This is key for all of us as you say Michael. And it doesn’t matter what that expression is, whether its through a painting, a piece of writing, the way we dress or the way we make a meal, every single thing we do is an expression of who we are, and holds the same importance as everything else. It is indeed our uniqueness that shines out in these circumstances.
Thank you Michael for another beautiful sharing, it is our essence that cannot be copied, the art of being me. I have lived so boxed in by beliefs and ideals most of my life, as I learn the art of being me the box is slowly being done away with. I love that we are pieces in the puzzle of life each piece as important as another as each bring their own uniqueness to the whole.
If we are but willing to step back from the picture we see life to be, we can finally grasp that we have been framed, boxed in and contained by the idea that there is a correct way to be. Just imagine a world where we live just by what we felt is yummy? I feel like then we would stop focusing so much on outer appearance and comparing perceived beauty and understand deeper that the greatest beauty is the diversity and particular flavour we all bring to this world. Thanks to your words Michael , this palette of light is something I am choosing to celebrate now and I have a feeling this day is going to be a classical masterpiece in the gallery of life.
I now know that when judgement starts to kick in from me, the first thing i need to do is look at my relationship to my own self worth in regards to the issue.
This is gorgeous to read and I can relate to all you share here Michael. For years I became whatever anyone needed me to be because I didn’t really know who I was and was desperate to be liked. Thankfully this has all changed since attending Universal Medicine events and I have felt the support and love to let go of these old roles and embrace who I truly am and it is beautiful to feel how this supports and inspires others to drop their protection and to also be their true selves as well.
We will never discover a version of ourselves from outside us that is true for it will lack the essence of who we are – the living authenticity that lives within as awaiting expression – a never-ending or lapsing potential that is full of the power and Joy of God and an expression direct from Heaven.
There is a lovely flow in life when we choose to deepen our own quality of expression and when all our movements are impulsed from the very core of who we are as it is only then we understand that nothing needs to be done as it is all there ready for us to surrender and let it out.
The art of being me is certainly a forever work in progress; your blog Michael is such a joy to read. I was particularly inspired by this sentence, allowing life to unfold naturally and with joy;
“Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not”.
Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make. Absolutely Michael, as what you are talking about here is about feeling comfortable in your own skin and sharing that settledness from within you in your expression and everything that you do. This cannot but help bringing a sense of openness and freedom to your body as it is it’s natural way of being.
Im enjoying peeling off the layers that are not me to reveal the real gorgeous me beneath.
I put so many years into the art of not being me that to finally take the steps to return to simply being me was initially a struggle. But then I realised that the ‘real me’ was there all along, and an immense Love was there… in and around me, that I had been turning a blind eye to. Thank you Serge Benhayon for your incredible dedication to showing humanity who they truly are, and inspiring my way back home to me.
Your blog highlights the effort required to be something we are not, to fight against our essence, who we naturally are. No wonder we have a world of exhausted human beings wishing for the joy and lightness you describe. Thank you for sharing the simplicity of this being an optional way to live, should we so choose.
Michael it goes to show that the way we approach our day, the way we choose to be in relation to ourselves is what is truly key to a life that flows. Focus on the outside and everything is over.
I am still learning the art of being me and I must say it is turning into a gorgeous new canvas for the world to see!
Gorgeous Michael, deep within we know all that we are, but when we let ourselves be tricked in being something else we can get quite lost. It is only a choice to return.
The walls of protection are so strong and once we start to let go we get to see more and more the walls that we have in other areas of our life. This is beautiful because when you get to see this and how it feels not to be ourselves, but always on guard. We can start to appreciate that being all of ourselves is way more harmonious and easy than playing a game of reactions to everything that is outside of us.
Once we separate from our true selves we endlessly search and take on versions of ourselves in order to seek the love that we have lost in that connection.
I love the concept of moving forward in true connection, free from pictures…. and with life as the white canvas that gets painted with each step… unfolding a masterpiece in our wake.
This is so joyful. Wow, we really are able to give ourselves permission to be! We don’t have to wait for anyone else to do this for us or anyone else’s approval. Reading this really opens the gates to life being about appreciation, saying yes to the love that can come through me and fully appreciating what other’s bring through.
Getting to know ourselves from our essence is paramount in our self-acceptance. If we haven’t yet connected with our essence we will always search to be something that is outside of ourselves rather than knowing that all the jewels lie deep within.
On the path of discovering ‘just being me’ I get aware of the many layers that keep me from being me and with every layer like emotions, images, ideals, protections, control mechanisms etc that gets exposed I am surprised and even shocked how much I was controlled and contracted without really knowing how lost I was. This has taught me to be open for the next layer I may not yet recognise but can expect to be uncovered as long as I am willing to become and be all of me.
‘Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.’ Open hearts and open expression , who can resist such love?
I am amazed at this blog Michael, just such amazing writing and profoundness of looking into life with the microscope, which is a joy to do, it gives us such awareness about our patterns of living, emotions and reactions.
Peeling back the layers to reveal the real me is the art form when working with universal medicine modalities. I am so much freer to be me and grateful for the lightness of being that becomes my new normal. Thanks Michael for sharing your take on it.
This morning as I woke I could feel that moment, the gateway as it were, where i allow images and thoughts to enter my mind and take me a way from the depth of feeling me. So I lay there clocking all these thoughts trying to come in and let myself simply focus on my breathing into my lungs and instantly – I felt me expand and expand. This is now a ritual every morning so the when I do get up I wake up with the old knowing of me going about whatever I am impulsed to do first. Honing this in, into the busyness of our day to day lives is key, otherwise we can get lost in life’s whirlwind.
I spent much of my life trying to be someone else. It was not only impossible, it was a dismal failure and worst of all, I negated the most beautiful person I could be, by ignoring how awesome I already was. How crazy is that?
The most amazing person in the world for me to express as actually living within me, untapped. I am now doing all I can to simply be me, a wonderful beautiful full person who is just as awesome as all other people, no more no less.
I can feel from how you express it MIchael, that when you allow yourself to follow your own body’s rhythms, then the “me” you are is not about identification, but a connection with everyone else and the Universe.
The Way of The Livingness is probably the only religion on earth that teaches “the art of being me” – whereas all other religions that I know teach how to be according to certain ideals and believes – which is teaching “the art of being everything that I am not”.
There’s a constant deepening that is on offer as to what that ‘me’ that we say we are being is.
When I look at this photo of the article, i’m chuckling away to myself here since i thought at first the photo was just the man in the photo just placing a frame around his face to capture a ‘photo of himself within a photo’… but then looking at it again today wasn’t sure if whether a man was putting up over his actual face an actual photo of himself within a frame, and that’s got me laughing as i observe it, one because of his laughing face, and two because you really can’t tell the difference [well at least i can’t] ha ha ha, …. the importance of being silly and silliness in ‘the art of being ourself’ (!!!!!!!)
Nothing is more stunning or beautiful then seeing a masterpiece unveil before your eyes… meaning the masterpiece we each are in our full expression.
We cannot underestimate the value of being who we are. There is nothing greater, and inevitably cannot be anything less.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.”
I agree wholeheartedly. When we open up and start to express how we feel the world around responds often in a welcoming way.
Connecting to and deepening our own unique quality allows us to surrender and become an instrument of the divine.
It is interesting to observe how in society we are pressed into stereotypes and how the general trend is to look, behave and talk in a certain stereotypical way. These stereotypes are communicated to us from young through movies, picture books, stories and later through advertising, bill boards, magazines, etc. we are bombarded with the images of how we should be, what is cool and what is the trend. No wonder we lose the sense of our uniqueness.
Michael you made it very obvious that it is very exhausting to copy someone else. I like your honest words as they showed it very clearly that being myself is the best medicine ever!
Hello Michael and this is almost how I grew up, “Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” If I saw that something worked for someone in any given situation I would just copy it and try and model it into my life. That could mean face to face with people or in business, at home virtually anywhere. I was always trying to better myself through how I saw others acting and then comparing it to how I act. It was like a game where at different points in my life I would copy other people actions. There is a difference between being inspired by someone and appreciating how it feels and simply copying another person behaviours in the hope to get what they have for yourself, thank you Michael.
There is no greater love then giving yourself permission to just be you! Sounds simple and is simple when we let go of the images and beliefs.
So brilliant when you put it like that copying someone else’s artwork, learning to be inspired but finding my own way is bringing so much more joy than the other journey away from myself.
The more I am connected with me the more there is effortlessness in my life, I never thought this was possible to live a life joyful and full of simplicity and this just by knowing who I am and choosing my unique expression. And it is not yet every day like that but yes it is my choice to make my day consistently about the art of being me or being a copy of myself.
Take the trying out of life and be open to what unfolds…”Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy,” Reconnection with the inner me, my essence has meant that I do not constantly have to try and control what I do in life, I allow more of a flow, it has been amazing to see what unfolds and what there is to learn and appreciate.
I am constantly amazed and in admiration of the magical science that allows us all to have a unique expression of the one same essence of divinity.
Very true Ariana, there is never any holding back when we are ourselves. Sometimes I can leave myself because I am concerned as to whether I have upset another. This is because doubt can set in as to whether the choices I have made have been from a hurt or from love. What I am learning from this is that it is a path of unfolding and sometimes I slip up but the key is not to be hard on myself but to pick myself up, brush it off and get on with loving myself even more deeply.
It is very interesting to read this blog this morning as I too have been pondering over the last few days the ingrained behaviour of wanting to please others which has been a large part of my life and feeling the impact on my body for living in this way. The resentment and reactions held in my body to people and situations has also been interesting to observe. I can also see and feel how I have set it up so that I keep myself small and ‘fit in’. Learning to appreciate what arises within my body to support myself to evolve is key.
And what you bring as the true you, Michael, is that not an essential piece of the jigsaw for everyone else? Maybe the fact that so many of us are trying to morph into situations or characteristics that we are not, makes sense of the chaos, disconnect and disharmony we are living in the world today.
” the way we connect with others, the amazing way in which we cook, how we bring people together” Im glad you shared these ways of ‘being me’ with us, as we all have so much to bring and it is far greater than what we like for example, certain movies, colours, songs etc.. it is about the qualities that we have.
Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before. This is so true Michael, and you never know who may be there right at that moment of expression just waiting to hear what you have to say and then in that moment, their lives/they are changed in some way.
“This unique expression is something we all have.” These words are so beautiful and honouring and I can feel the incredible expansion of possibilities in the appreciation of this truth. I can also feel emotions of not having this supported in our lives, being shaped and moved in linear directions. Childhood realities for so many many people to draw in the lines and choose colours that are from mental construct, where a child may feel the true colour of someone’s face or the space around them. Our potential is still inside us all there is no line or palette that we need to comply with only what comes from our own essence that is there to express.
I have experienced many times now a group of people where there are no egos wanting to be on top of the conversation and no one shying away and hiding which is my normal experience of groups dynamics. To be with a group where everyone is themselves and expressing easily abs freely is a real joy.
I have recently been working on some stuff that has come up for me, and it is really interesting the habit of wanting to look outside to find a model to copy, a road map to follow rather than allow it to unfold naturally from ourselves.
Great blog. As an educator, I am observing within schools just about the greatest challenge to students is the trying to fit in. The constant battle of exploring who they really are. We can all relate to this childhood experience, which clearly extends into adulthood. I don’t think it has even been acknowledged of the stress, and effect on our health and wellbeing of not living who we really are. A great time to reflect and deepen our understanding of this human condition.
How true this is that an even slightly altered, let alone watered down or trumped up version of ourselves will never be the real deal and such insincerity can be felt by all around us for the falsity it is.
‘Today I asked myself, “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?’ – A great call Michael, to make a stop and ask ourselves WHY we make the chocies we do in our day to day living, as opposed to blindly follow the old routine, the autopilot, that is set to tell us that we need to look outside of ourselves and copy what others are doing.
‘Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.’ I can relate – I spent most of my life looking for the ‘way to be’, the magic answer or treatment that would make my life work. It’s been a work in progress, but I am now enjoying just being me, and finally am understanding the simplicity of life – all that is needed is for me to bring me as fully I as can be into whatever I do.
This was great to read Michael and very pertinent — the reminder to honour my flow, to stay with the gorgeous rhythm I feel from within and let this instruct my next physical movement. When I allow this I feel the essence of me in all that I do.
“I then dressed as I felt to and went for a short walk in the woods and when I sat down at my desk, suddenly the work that had been so challenging and time-consuming the days before was now finished in just more than an hour, because I had sat down with the joy from my walk and worked with focus and ease.”
This part for me has been game changing Michael – for so often we are catapulted into our day by a relentless to do list – the idea that walking towards ourselves and embracing what feels supportive and nurturing will actually create more space and efficiency is truly beautiful.
“I do not need to copy anyone in anything.” this sentence alone, and the feeling that actually we can be ourselves was a turning point in my life. Feeling like I don’t need to be anything is life changing and whilst this is not in every area of my life I can really feel the difference it makes to my overall confidence. Not needing to be something I think I need to be.
How easily our perspective changes when we return to the simplicity of simply being ourselves and consciously present with our body – then the day can flow harmoniously without effort.
“…..gently getting up, making my bed and preparing myself a cup of tea. I then dressed as I felt to and went for a short walk in the woods and when I sat down at my desk, suddenly the work that had been so challenging and time-consuming the days before was now finished in just more than an hour, because I had sat down with the joy from my walk and worked with focus and ease”.
Just like a well known artist’s painting we all have the capability and the resources to produce a masterpiece every second of every day. We are a master piece just bursting to be able to express all of who we are. When we don’t put any restrictions in the way there is a huge beauty to be shared that no money can buy.
I can still get caught up in the needing to get things done rather than letting the day flow . When I do it is true Michael the day flows and there is no effort and the aches and pains and tension in my body disappear. Being me and allowing this in every part of my life is something I am enjoying more and more there is a simplicity to life that was not there before. “So, snuggling up under the blanket this morning, enjoying the warmth and the lightness in my body, I could deeply feel how I am fine as I am, just being me, and instead of making plans of what to do, or thinking about what most probably might need to be done, I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.” So simple, easy, light and playful Michael.
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make” This is so true Michael and I am loving the fact the more I open up and express what I am truly feeling the more others also open up, you are are right when we express from who we truly we can change the world.
Everyone has different talents, things they have mastered and are able to perform with ease and grace. It’s very appealing, magnetic even, to witness this and be inspired to learn how to do this yourself. However, there is an important difference between wanting to learn from someone as opposed to being like someone else. It’s like trying to run before we can walk, it doesn’t work and we fall over. Once we have mastered walking with our selves first, when we learn from others we’ll still be walking our walk but a more expanded version.
‘When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world’, yes, indeed. In our essence we are all reflecting something different, a slightly different shade of expression forming a beautiful Universal rainbow. Whenever we alter our expression, trying to be something we’re not, our light is dimmed affecting the whole rainbow.
What happens in my body when I make the choice to explore what Michael is presenting in this blog about the feeling that I am fine just as I am, is that I feel a letting go of the energy of performing according to an expectation. It is like a de-configuring of something in my body, which results in lessening of the feeling of tension. Then as Michael has so wonderfully expressed, I have the space to feel what I would like to do next and approach my day in a more cyclic way, meaning coming around to what needs to get done but with all of me coming to the activity in my own time and not being forced into a narrowed version of me feeling pressured by time. Then the things I do which keep me in the fullness of myself are not attached to the need to get things done and allow me to appreciate that this is my life and that I am already complete in each activity, including the ones I need to do. This also means at the end of each day, however many boxes I have ticked, I still hold a lovely sense of completeness that I can take to bed with me. What you have shared Michael is a great key to an evolutionary way of living!
We actually can’t be anyone but ourselves so if we try to be someone else it feels false because we know we are not expressing from our essence. So why do we live this lie? Why do we feel the need to be something other than who we are? I remember as a girl wanting to have straight hair like my sister and she wanted curly hair like mine. Why are we not accepting what we have been given?
We start off as children expressing our uniquenesss but we gradually lose the ‘art of being me’ because we copy what we see around us which is often not in line with our inner nature. If children were encouraged to trust their inner knowing they would not lose their ability to discern whether or not the role models they see are representing a true way of being .
The joy of being me and all I am is so simple when we truly look at it because we cant be anyone else ! This is a beautiful blog and sharing and feels so playful and inspirational to be who we are and to love ourselves with no perfection or trying as this is all an illusion.
When I’m surrounded by a lot of negativity and reaction I can feel that whilst I don’t set out to fit in, I allow it to pull me down, which shows I am choosing to be less rather than staying with myself and allowing my light to shine even brighter. Something for me to work on, with love.
Michael your writing is a work of art, in that I tangibly felt the level of tension in my body reduce as I digested what was said. And the way you write is delicious and at the same time easy to digest.
The art of being ourselves is something we’re not taught. In fact in most cases we’re actively encouraged to conform to a pattern of behaviour, a uniform, a look, a way of life. I loved your phrase, ‘Not only do I not need to be like someone else, in fact I cannot become someone else’ because it’s impossible to be anything other than who we are. Anything else is just fabrication and a denial of the truly unique expression that is naturally ours.
Our unique expression is exquisite and priceless and being in the full appreciation and joy of this is quite something to behold – whether in ourselves or another. I know when I connect to this feeling I can doubt it’s real and try and bring it down a little. However the more awareness and appreciation of how truly supportive claiming this is for me and humanity the more simply I can stay with me.
‘I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.’ – It is crazy how most of us have learned to ignore what the body is telling us, when truth is this is the most valuable asset we have and it is ALWAYS available to us if we but stop and listen and honour what we feel in that moment.
When we seek help or understanding we are willing to see that we play a role that is not really true or us at all. But what seems to happen is we just switch to another character we are comfortable with too. Reading your words Michael I see an art conservationist restoring a great master’s painting, peeling back the layers of dirt and junk that has landed on top, and finding that there was actually a completely different and stunning painting underneath. This is what it feels like with us, and these roles that we play that just get in the way of us presenting our own rich and colourful beauty to all who walk past.
I agree, when we look after our self every thing that seemed to be a big issue no longer is and things fall into place
How gorgeous is the expression of your true essence as you describe it in contrast with all the reaching out and trying. For me the statement is profound “this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not.” And it nails the trap of striving for perfection which I am so familiar with – a trying to fit an external image, a perfect copy of what I am not. Spot on.
What inspired me from your blog that it’s about truly coming back to ourselves and our essence, feeling into what will support us and building on that and not getting caught in perfection to be like someone else. But trust and know we bring our own gifts to humanity, there is no need for perfection.
It is really silly to think that any version we make of ourselves would be a truer one than who we really are and yet most of our lives are spent presenting a different version or front of ourselves.
I have been noticing this a lot recently, how I can be really down on myself because things aren’t turning out the way I think they should or want them to be, part of it is worrying about what other people will think too. It’s such a trap, and feels horrible because of the pressure on myself, not to mention I completely miss out on enjoying the moment and appreciating what ever is there in the situation naturally -there is no right or wrong way, only my way.
It is interesting what is being shared here Laura Hoy. There is an attachment and investment we have that paints the picture that then leads us to not accepting that it is okay being ourselves. How ironic that we set up these pictures and no one else.
If only we all fully realised the art and simplicity of being ourselves we would have Heaven on Earth.
So true Michael, what is truly great and inspiring about anything or anyone, is the quality of expression that has come with it or them. And this is unique to every one of us… and yes I totally agree, it is an art that demands nothing of it’s observer, but rather blesses by the purity of it’s source.
There is no try, there is only do.
And hence it is not about trying to copy another for this can never be our natural way of expression.
Thank you Michael for this very precious reminder of how important we all are because of how each of us brings an equally exquisite piece of the puzzle – how could one ever complete a puzzle if all the pieces were the same?
Good question, Henrietta. If we take this to heart we cannot but celebrate each other and the unique part of God that we and we alone can represent.
Wanting to be something other than ourselves is an indication that we strayed from our connection with our essence.
“When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world. We are the only ones who are able to bring them as no one else can bring them in the way we are able to…” And supporting each other to freely and responsibly express without the fear of rejection or judgment is key.
When I am not me, I don’t have authority in whatever I do.
Wow, that is a powerful line Felix. If I am not myself I am actually living a lie.
‘The art of being me’ is the art of living – something that should be easy and natural for everyone but rarely is. It is a clear marker for how far we have strayed from who we truly are, burdened and plagued with countless images, expectations, rights and wrongs that all need to be discarded before we consistently can simply be ourselves once again.
On the assumption or the definite knowing that we are love in essence, ie love being our true ‘me’ we can begin to fathom the amount of lovelessness we have taken on that keeps us from simply being ‘me’ – that is huge !
We have become followers of others in society without discernment of that which we follow and at the expense of our own connection to the impulses to just be us and bring the qualities we hold to life. In itself there is nothing wrong with following, the question comes back to what and why do we follow.
It is incredibly telling of what we have allowed to happen to life when it is considered a revelation to be our true selves.
The simplicity of just being yourself eliminates so much complication.
Once I started to let go of all the ‘should do’s’ and allowed myself to be who I am naturally I have come to realise that I am enough. Because I have lived my life looking out at what I need to be I can feel this pattern trying to come in and it is a constant one to be on top of and calling it out.
Reading this brings it home as to how much effort it takes to try to be like someone else but effortless when we are being ourselves, and that’s what people respond to. Others light up when we are our true selves and respond to us differently.
You’ve really exposed the idea of ‘trends’ Michael. Could ‘following a trend’ simply be another excuse for us to copy others and avoid finding our own style and expressing that uniqueness, to fit in, feel safe, not stand out and so forth?
Yes being yourself has to be top of the list for being in life! Firstly it reduces stress, secondly it helps friends know who they are actually friends with and, as you say, it makes so much more space in life because you know the pace you can work and the order needed to do your work. Gorgeous.
As you say, Michael, letting go of the walls of protection allows another to observe what it is like to be open and feel comfortable in one’s skin, reminding them too of a natural and more spontaneous way of being that can be joyful and playful.
It is interesting of how artists view themselves in self-portraits? Could it be the only time they have a go at looking at themselves? We all have the opportunity to become a walking, talking and living masterpiece that offers a view of a different way we can all be, that has always been just a choice away.
I so love the fact that we are and have our very own unique expression that is part of an uncompleted puzzle that unites us all, when even slightly understanding this why would we not want to explore and expand this expression?
I like the title of the art being me, as it opens a space to explore the way how we can be with ourselves and does not give a rule how to be when being with ourselves.
I felt pretty ‘comfortable’ with being ‘me’ until the day came for me to leave high school and choose a career for further study at University or as it happened also for the Conservatorium of Music. I couldn’t see myself as wanting any career in particular. I felt i had no idea what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I wanted to find out more, to study, to find the truth of life and what life was really about. This was not a helpful position to have as I could not then pigeon-hole myself into any job as they all seemed so confining compared to what I was seeking. But this is where I (the me I knew then) went down a side track. We can in fact be ourselves in any situation of serving humanity – so the whole ‘secret to life is to connect to our innermost heart, who we truly are, and then let things unfold. A beautiful way to be.
‘The Art of being Me’ – great title Michael. Who am I was a question I asked myself on occasions from the age of about 10 onwards. I knew the ‘me’ that was a child, I knew the eternal and ageless me which I felt very few people knew about or acknowledged, I knew the me I was at home and the me I was at school, and somewhere in there was ‘me’. I am only now discovering more deeply who the real ‘me’ is and that is evolving and growing all the time as I shed old beliefs, behaviours, consciousnesses, and ideas about living and how ‘things should be’. Huge process but well worth every step.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.”- so true.
I know that as a teenager I constantly looked up at my older brothers and sister, friends, and classmates, and compared and wanted to be like them , when things flowed in their lives.
I forgot the importance of appreciating the uniqueness of just being me, which is what I am relearning now as an adult.
Thanks Michael for your much needed reminder that we are all equally important in this world and deep within we each carry an unique quality to bring to the world.
It simplifies life when we are expressing from our essence rather than the complications of coping an image, a persona, hiding ourselves. Accepting we are already all that we need to be, and being present to our bodies messages that take us on our own unique journey in harmony with our fellow man.
There is much pressure in this world to find your niche – a little pocket of identification that you can claim as your own and in that feel like you belong. What is not encouraged enough is giving the space to each other in order to allow themselves to find their own feet. Insecurity, struggle, anxiety, are there on the one hand, whilst the solace of comfort waits on the other side for those who “have made it.” Yet look carefully and you realise that success as we have been taught in terms of finding the supposed life of our dreams is no recipe for true success. Successful people are still consumed by anxiety and a dis-ease with their life. Drug addiction and broken marriages affect successful people as much as those we consider to be failures. This on its own tells us that as a society we have lost connection with what is important – and that is to build a life built on connection with ourselves that in itself is immune to any need for recognition from outside of us, and immune to the need to carve out a secure niche in order to feel safe in the world.
I love the way you liken being yourself to art and as an art. Your unique expression, each persons unique and true expression, is naturally then, a masterpiece.
What a lovely feeling of settlement in the body when there is no trying to be anything or be like anyone else, just being you – the essence which never changes.
This is great Michael and I have always loved having a blank canvas to paint on – but in the past it has been an expression of trying to get it right, caring what people think and all about the technique. What you share here about expressing the person within and enjoy being who you are, the paint that comes with this will indeed hold an essence that is expressing a quality that can’t not be denied how beautiful it really is.
How joyful is it to realise that we’re actually making a puzzle of around 8 billion pieces. And we’ll only get there if everyone chooses to live and express their own unique part of the puzzle. When only one isn’t choosing their own expression, the whole isn’t the whole it otherwise is. We all have a responsibility – a joyful one – and a significant role to play. Imagine 8 billion all starting to shine their lights. Worth exploring and living!
See your day like an art canvas, painting You – the True You – all over it. What a day that would be!
‘Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.’ – Well said Michael, how could we ever expect others to meet us with openness and total presence if we ourselves do not offer the same?
Our unique expression is something worth celebrating but a few years ago I wouldn’t of even known. I had a Unique expression. This highlights the need there is for us all to start talking about the fact that we do all have this and it is just a case of starting I connect back to our essence. Then we won’t have to see all our qualities as what we do but rather who we are.
I really enjoyed reading this Michael and the message is indeed powerful…. For we can so easily get lost if we attempt to mimic or be anything other than who we innately are. The world does not need copies, it needs us to bring whatever we are here to offer in the way only we can.
Once you start to look at the ways in which we try to copy others and to what extent, it really is sobering to see how much of our power we give away, and how that reduces us in our expression. Is it any wonder self worth issues are off the chart.
‘Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.’ – This is true for many people Michael, and perhaps when we feel not ourselves, instead of looking outside for models to copy we should work on making choices to come back to who we know ourselves to be and take inspiration from how we know we can feel on the inside.
‘When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world.’ Once we understand the importance of our uniqueness and of being simply who we are, it takes away the need to conform, or to be what brings us the best response from others – the most important job we have is to be All of Who We Are.
The concept of role models is a common one but how often is that in fact does that become looking “outside myself for a model to copy”? Serge Benhayon and The Way of The Livingness present a true role model as that is to be oneself in full without copying anyone or anything: that one is complete, full and beautiful in oneself without any external additions.
The Art of being us, and what a gorgeous work of art we all are, having our own unique flavours to add to the mix and at the exact time that it is needed when we are in flow with our bodies and what they are telling us.
I can relate here to sometimes looking outside of myself and trying to emulate other people that I have observed as great human beings, but falling for the trap of copying them and trying to be the same as them. There is a big difference between being inspired by someone who is expressing who they are and then in turn expressing who I am and copying someone. I loved the line in your blog Michael when you said that even if we succeed in copying someone else, there is no joy in it because we have not found ourselves. Getting to know me and what I bring to the world has been an amazing experience well worth doing.
The day feels so different when I, like you also shared here, look after my self first in the morning in a loving and attentive way. Walking before work, making a loving space for breakfast, practising self care and nurturing all enhance our daily activities and work flows so much easier then. I will walk more before I start work 🙂
I love your sharing Michael, and this is so true what you say here: “I do not need to copy anyone in anything. Be it to eat what others eat, dress like somebody else or carry out my job in the same way that somebody else would approach it. Not only do I not need to be like someone else, in fact I cannot become someone else. Even if I reach such a goal, I will feel no lasting joy or satisfaction, as it will not be me that I have found.” How possibly can we ‘find’ our selves if we look outside of our selves? And the joy of reconnecting with our own essence and bring that to our daily living is far more awesome than trying to be like another.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” This explains how advertisements companies can make millions and millions because they cash in on our insecurity and sell us an image that is not true.
Accepting my true expression is like giving birth to myself. It can be a painful experience, because it reveals all the false copies of myself, I had created before.
Oh what a great analogy – “Accepting my true expression is like giving birth to myself.” Yes and what a joyful moment this is when we can truly feel this.
Every single person on this planet has a gorgeousness that is there to be expressed. We all make up part of humanity and we, as part of humanity, are only complete when everyone expresses their essence.
This is such an awesome approach, I really enjoyed when you talked about how an artist can copy to the T anothers work but it can lack the essence that was originally there. I also found it fascinating when you talked about the art that lasts the tests of time and makes a real impression on people is art that is unique and doesn’t try to fit in but is just an expression in itself. These two points really impacted me, it is a beautiful prospective on life and how to truly appreciate who we are.
Thank you Michael, as I was reading this I felt the areas where I have tried to fit in, to not stand out and to just express similar to others, but to me this feels not lasting and has a falseness to it. When I allow myself to express naturally there is a feeling of joy in my body as the expression flows. From the place this expression flows, feels like a never ending deep spring that always has a uniqueness to it.
Wow that last sentence really does highlight the hard work that goes into creating what we are not “fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not” instead of allowing everything that we already are.
Being someone or something we are not, takes us out of our natural rhythm, takes us out of our flow and creates a disharmony in our body. The greatest gift we can offer the world is to simply be ourselves, to behold ourselves in equality to all others.
I cannot escape from myself, I can only dismiss or ignore my own presence and unique expression. To not look outside myself and deeply connect with and take responsibility for myself is my art form. It is embracing this and expression that is the process involved in the ‘art of being me’.
It is true that every one of us has a unique and equally gorgeous expression that only we can express. However, whilst we express differently the question is from which energy are we expressing. This could be where we get things mixed up sometimes in understanding how we can all be one and so unique. It is very joyful to feel two people (or more) expressing from the one source in their unique way.
It feels to me, Michael, that we often give way to meeting expectations of others whether it be at work or in our private life and the messages from our bodies are often put second, or on hold or are totally ignored. When we do this we are denying our own preciousness and no one else gets to feel that either.
What a beautiful revelation Michael and one that will support you throughout your entire life as you mark what it really feels like to enjoy the art of being you. I love the simplicity in which you explain just how easy it can be to call out the deceptive thoughts that you have had that only lead you into a state of ‘trying’, trying to be something you are not; when – clearly – this is not only a waste of time and energy, everyone (including yourself) misses out on the radiant and natural essence that you are and hence bring to all that you do from within your self-connection. Your blog inspires me to make self-honouring choices today and in every way possible to me so that I too am wearing my own essence on my sleeve for everyone to see!
‘ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?’ What a great questions to get underneath the pleasing and fitting in. The word ‘copy’ made me stop because that is not what I want and for sure not something anyone needs. I know it will stay with me the moment I try to fit in or to please. I am who I am and that is unique and inspiring in every way!
I love this Michael and relate to the ease with which, you can pick up a habit, trait or mannerism from someone….you try it on for size to see if it fits but in reality there is only one expression of ourselves and it comes from us.
As I am just sitting in front of my ‘white canvas’ today to write something I did commit to, your Blog is very much appreciated and inspiring Michael! Even I know what you say and I said it often to others – when I need to follow my knowing I sometimes need a little help from my brothers as a reminder. And so we are there for each other. Thank you.
We all struggle expressing how we truly feel or connecting to how we truly feel in one way or another.
I love the part about waking up and not going into the drive of the list of things you need to do. Honouring what you feel, and going about the things that you really want to do and then doing your work in that same energy is amazing. So simple that it completely uncomplicates everything like gently pulling the loose end of the string that was stuck in the knot.
It certainly is an art Michael, to be able to live ourselves and not any ‘idea’ about the way we should be. It is well worth the surrender to the stance of the observer so that we can access what our each and every harmonious move will be.
It’s true. Why copy anything or anyone? It’s just a copy. It’s not genuine. It’s not who we are.
That I agree with Rebecca Turner. I have noticed this in the work environment where often people have suggested I copy another or do it their way in order to get the job done quicker. I have noticed that with this comes another person’s flavour and not the quality that I know I have to offer. This shows me time and time again that there is an art in being myself and as the artist taking on the responsibility of getting on with it.
When we express from our essence everybody wins. We can feel how lovely it is in our body, how natural and effortless it is to share ourselves in this way and how through this expression we are reminding everyone we meet of their equal and beautiful essence.
I have often felt that the ways we try and fit in with society are many….we can tell ourselves that we are independent, we wear what we like, do what we like, but how many of us are willing to stand by what we truly feel with the knowing that that we will be seen as different, outcasts, or rocking the boat etc…I have often felt and still do feel that I am not afraid to be different and make my own choices. I have often been attached to feeling different and this has kept me separate from others. Coming back to a knowing that we are all in essence equal and have more in common than in difference has allowed me to feel more warmth and love for humanity. In doing so I have become more open to the way that I actually choose to collude, or how I can be fearful being noticed and ‘really’ different. Being me, the true me, has brought reactions from people, I can feel that I have held back being all of me because I have told myself I don’t want those reactions, this is colluding, this is wanting to fit in.
Michael the crazy thing is, that because hardly anyone is actually being their authentic self then when we look to model ourselves on another, we are actually copying a fake, which is how we have ended up with a world of people who are all playing the part of bit actors in a movie of themselves.
Well said Alexis – what a mad world we live in when we have lost trust in our own unique beauty and expression. We are looking everywhere for the treasure we already hold within!
“Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” The thing is that it’s where everyone actually wants to go, so there it’s not like people need huge convincing. Over and over, I’ve seen people grab the inspiration. Of course they have. Would we rather feel connected, equal and loved…or separate, lonely and protected?
The pressure of expectations and ideals, the fear to be rejected or judged, the striving for being good and right are tyrannising and oppressing us and we simply take it as normal and a given that life is that way. When we finally clock that it is us who buys into and takes on these ideals, even feeding them with our energy we have done the first step to letting go of them – a necessity for coming back to just being who we are.
Many people say about themselves: “I don’t know how to be me.” But it is not an art that we have to learn. We simply have to remember it. I reckon, the best school for this is Universal Medicine.
It is an art being ourselves, staying in connection with ourselves and being in full acceptance of who we are and what we bring, in a world that is constantly telling us otherwise. To let go of the outside pressures, expectation and beliefs that we are not enough takes some unthreading…but well worth the effort to make in the untangling process.
At the moment I am constantly reminding myself that I am always going to be doing and have things that need doing, but it is about the quality that I am holding and moving in that will either support me in full, or if choosing to tick a box, will drain me very quickly. Catching myself judging what I am doing and then calling it out and moving differently, is a constant choice that I have to make but one that is so worth the commitment.
‘I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.’ – How simple, and how easy it can be when we trust what our body is telling us, it offers a 24/7 communication if we are open to listen.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy”
This is an observation which is empowering when we have understood and felt deeply how often and in what extent we do this.
‘I had sat down with the joy from my walk and worked with focus and ease.’ – this makes so much sense …. when our movements come from true connection with our bodies, we are ‘with’ our selves, feeling the joy that this brings, if instead, we leave our selves behind and rush to finish a piece of work, that being our sole focus, the quality and our ease in completing the task will be very different.
Love what you share here, Michael. Maybe because so many of us are not embracing just being our yummy selves, it can often feel like there is a ‘club’ that are in the ‘know’ and you’re not a part of it. I very much felt this way growing up and when I tried to join, I didn’t enjoy it, it felt fake and I still felt something was missing. Choosing to be your self is the greatest gift on earth, to you and everyone else.
“ … instead of making plans of what to do, or thinking about what most probably might need to be done, I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do.” To trust being you, all of you, you have to be willing to let go what is not you.
“This unique expression is something we all have. It could, for example, be the way we see, do or sense things, the way we dress, how we do the garden, the way we connect with others, the amazing way in which we cook, how we bring people together” – Michael seeing our expression or spark is about appreciating this and ourselves to build, and i know that when i’m not appreciating myself or it’s slipped from my being, comes the looming tendency to, as you say, create a copy of that which is thought to ‘be better’. Appreciating the smallest thing about us leads to the greatest difference of us – the demise of comparison, and rise of acceptance.
It seems crazy to change ourselves to fit in, or be accepted in life. When we live from who we truly are there is a freedom and joy that comes with it, that makes every day a joy to live.
Great example Michael of feeling what your body needed in order to allow your day to start and flow smoothly and with ease.
From a young age we are taught to work out what brings us the feeling of love that we once felt without having to do anything and so we look at what works for us and for others – from here the tendency to copy others can start so easily.
To being able to see the chameleon like behaviour we all have used at times, to fit in, to be liked, to not stand out, to feel comfortable is the beginning to feeling that in fact we are more than enough
Exploring the art of being, ourselves, the essence of who we are, is what brings the priceless, magnificent, awe-inspiring quality of our Divinity to all and all we do. This by no means a destination but rather an endless surrender to who we are in essence, a willingness to explore and claim all that we are, as there is no end to the depth of greatness and majesty that we have been born to live.
What is so beautiful is when you are comfortable in your own skin and feel amazing it gives other the permission to be themselves. There is no greater gift!
What a glorious world we can make if we appreciate and lived our divine uniqueness.
If everyone did that this world would be a completely different place – so the more we can start to connect to ourselves and live our inherent unique qualities the more others may feel inspired to connect to themselves too and then the ball starts to roll … it’s already rolling, just rather slow at present 😉
Michael your blog brought up feelings in my body of how it feels to live me. Simple, flowing, joyful, and loving. Thanks Michael. There is exquisite simplicity when we live all of us.
And in that simplicity there is so much space to be who we truly are… this is when we bring our unique gifts and truly inspire others to be themselves too – not by copying us but by bringing their unique qualities.
Yes copying another is so hard and to live that on a daily basis will make life so complicated’ Much more empowering to connect to our true essence within and live this in the world – and this then truly serves as inspiration to others to connect and express from their own true self too. Anything less is also a withholding of our innate qualities we all have, which are so important to the All.
As I live and express more from my essence I cannot but help to see the essence and beauty in another. It then becomes apparent the responsibility that we hold to be ourselves as when we are, this offers another the opportunity to express as themselves.
Love the simplicity you offer here Michael… we make life so complicated when we lace it with ideals and beliefs of how we think it should be.
Today I was walking back home from my work and enjoyed the spring in my step and my steady pace when another work colleague walked by much faster than I looking really enjoying it and expressing very brightly. I suddenly was thinking I wanted to be like that and that that would mean me walking faster. Then I remembered reading this blog the other day and realised me walking slower and expressing in a different, just as beautiful way did not make me less or wrong or her right and true. It is just our different expressions that are both equally beautiful and needed in the world.
I am working with the concept of letting things come to me rather then pushing to get what I think I need. It is about letting go of all the beliefs outside of myself that society has imposed on me.
When i feel this concept my body goes “Yes” and I release some of the tension in my body.
It is a continuing process of letting go and trusting that everything will be ok, but with support from Simple-Living Global and Universal Medicine it is happening.
The world is so set up for us to look outside of ourselves, to compare, to judge, to breed jealousy, to self-doubt. It is through a commitment to self-care and appreciation that I have learnt to really feel the value of my individual expression. And then it becomes a case of understanding that we are all part of the whole and utterly equal within that whole. So, if I hold myself any less, then I am in fact holding the all as less. Thus we are all responsible for the inequalities and separation that are so rife in the world; every move and expression we make has the power to evolve humanity or to embed us even deeper in a quagmire of jealousy and comparison.
Topping to bring more awareness and deeper appreciation to the qualities that are innate within me, brings another level of self-acceptance and another step of returning along the way to know the truth of who I am again.
It is absurd how much time, effort and self abuse has been spent in wanting to be something other than I am in my divine essence.
Yes, yes, yes. Bring me to me, and me is so easy.
Oh beautiful, Otto – spot on!
’Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.’ – This is what makes magazines and ads flourish – they target our weakest spots, and we not only allow them, we buy into it.
Being me is the simple part, its not being me is where we have made it so complicated.
Yes, trying to live up to ideals we have put up as how we are meant to be to be accepted, loved etc will never serve, as we can feel so clearly when someone puts on something that they are not; so much more empowering in truly stepping into who we are and expressing from there, so much more simple indeed.
There really is an art to navigating the treacherous maze of societal ideals, beliefs and expectations bombarding us from birth. Universal Medicine has been shining the light on the way back through this maze towards accepting, being and expressing our true selves. In this way they offer a true blessing to us all.
‘This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.’We have to work very hard at not being that which we already are.
The art of being me doesn’t need to be signed. It is the beauty of knowing that what I am is given to me – is not produced by me. There is no anxiety that I could loose something or that someone could take advantage of me. No insurance needed for this piece of art other the one given by God.
When we allow ourselves to truly be we can express everything from our very essence and embrace all of us, as we realise that it is a joy to express all that we are, and the simplicity this brings to our life is life enhancing. As you say there is no need to copy as we have the God given ability to be ourselves naturally and to make an offering that compliments the whole.
I love the simplicity of this blog. What came to me from reading it was the need to not hold back from sharing our unique expression with those around us and to appreciate the huge impact it can have.
If we were appreciated and cherished for our unique expression, wisdom and spark as children, we would not compare and try to be like someone else. But the opposite is usually the case and so comparison and competition are dominating our life in work, sports, art, mothering, everything. The common definition of success always is at the expense of others and thus promotes comparison. Simply being us invites equalness wth everyone else.
It’s true that we can create a near identical copy of someone else’s work, ‘look’ or design, but the essence behind our copy would lack the essence or ‘punch’ that would otherwise be felt from expressing our own grandness in whatever we do or how we live.
As I identified many of the ideals and expectations i had taken on and began to let them go, I felt an unsteadiness, as if i needed to rebalance myself, through connecting with the simple consistency of my breath and the quality within my body that i have come to know a woman that was has been tucked away for what feels like eons. I am getting to know the true me, without pictures, and the more i support this connection, the more i can celebrate what i am here to bring.
Being ourselves comes from the connection to our bodies, not our minds. It’s our minds that make us question our self worth, if something is ‘cool’, if what we do/say/wear fits in or whether we’re good enough. Our body doesn’t care about that stuff – to express from the body is a gift for all to see and feel.
From all thats shared here, Michael, it feels a simple and light way to live – being ourselves first in all we do – yet it is probably the thing I have resisted most in life just letting me be me with no pictures or expectations. Thank you 🙂
For years and years, I worried about what people thought of me and as such, I would look at what was popular, what others were doing or wearing, what jobs people had – all of this comparison which either made me feel good or not so good about myself. This old pattern still can rear its head from time to time, but now I know that I am enough, I am unique and I have my own way of expressing myself. And I feel awesome doing so.
I love this sharing Michael beautiful and the freedom and joy in accepting and appreciating just being me brings warmth through my whole body. How silly it is to try and be something else yet it is so easy to do without ones own true connection to oneself and the strength and stability from this love and the appreciation this allows.
Michael, this is super interesting, in a meeting yesterday I caught myself comparing myself to others and holding myself as less, thinking that ‘if this person were here they would be much more chatty and funny’, but I did not indulge in these thoughts and kept coming back to my body and enjoying how gentle and delicate my body felt, on reflection after the meeting I felt how even though I did not say much at the meeting I bought a tenderness and integrity to the meeting and I appreciated that we all bring different qualities and that my qualities are equally as important as others.
Since first reading your blog Michael, I realised that I actually have been taking the time to figure out who I am, but have been a little slow to understand that there is a whole lot more to being me than I thought there was. Looking back over my life I can see that I spent many years and much energy pretending to be someone else, always wondering why I was continually exhausted and really never satisfied with my life. To now acknowledge my uniqueness and to know that this is what I am to bring to this world has been liberating from the heavy shackles of trying to be someone I’m not, and instead simply just being who I am.
Living from our own unique expression is what keeps us in our body’s own beautiful rhythm. Our rhythm not only brings a flow to our day but a flow that is then felt by others too. A very cool reason to be ourselves everyday and to enjoy the inspiration available to us.
Michael another magically light piece of writing, gorgeous to read. What really struck me whilst reading ‘rather than trying to copy an image of a certain situation or person which I would allow my mind to suggest, as it does not focus on a certain outcome, but starts from an openness’, was how accurate you are in your observation. The mind really does narrow things down, not only that but it erects barricades and places obstacles in the way of flow. When we step out of our mind and into our body then we remove the barricades and obstacles and allow ourselves to fall into the slip stream of life.
If even one person holds back their essence then this effects the whole. It’s akin to having done nearly an entire jigsaw puzzle, only to find that there is one solitary piece missing. The jigsaw will remain incomplete until the last piece is found.
When we realise that we are love, it makes sense for us to be ourselves. When we think we are something much less than love, then it is more difficult.
“When we bring together our different expressions and support each other to bring them, we can truly change the world”.
Indeed it is up to us to express in full what is so uniquely ‘me’ and so to encourage and support others to do the same. Thank you Michael for your inspirational expression.
‘Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before’. Expressing freely and lovingly is one of the most powerful things we can do on earth. When two or more people get together profound and joyful things can happen! – conversations that re-constellate the particles of our bodies and resound with divine order and harmony.
Michael, you paint a beautiful picture of what it is to just be you, awesome and Divine by design!
Everyone one of us is an important part of the big puzzle. I recently got asked to take on some work, that at the time, I saw as ‘beneath me’ because I’d identified myself as doing a certain type and level of work. I’m getting paid the same, so it wasn’t about money, it was about how others would perceive me. I made the choice to take it and to bring myself in full to it. It isn’t terribly challenging work, but I’m seeing how my qualities and strengths in the work environment are what is needed – my clarity, steadiness and absoluteness. So it’s been a great lesson in letting to of a role and instead seeing myself as a piece in a bigger picture that I may not know.
Very gorgeous blog Michael. I’m seeing how sometimes I restrain from being me and go into a routine when I well know that by following my impulse all else flows naturally.
The only time I want to be like someone else is when I have not been appreciating myself or value what I bring. When I recognise something amazing in another person, instead of wanting to be like them I can choose to appreciate what they are reflecting and this is very empowering because it confirms the other person and myself in knowing that we all bring something unique to share. To be like another person is not possible because it can only be a false version of who we are. One of the most powerful aspect of life is when we choose to celebrate who we are, to claim and live this in every way.
“Today I asked myself, “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?” – Michael when I read this, ‘grass is greener’ came to mind… and, as we find when we get to another patch of ‘green grass’ [be that a new job, relationship etc] that we think, hope or have an ideal that it is better than what we have, in fact go on to discover it is the ‘same same’ of what we had before been experiencing, to discover the illusion and disadvantage from looking out, over looking within and the true benefit of this. Replica is no substitute for the original version…when we accept that grandness of the original.
Being ourselves is the biggest gift we can offer humanity. If only this was taught from a very young age and then nurtured. This would change the ever-growing self-worth issues that a rampant in today’s society.
I absolutely love what you have said here Donna – how supportive this would be to grow up being taught this from a young age: Be you and live your way. And celebrate this every day.
‘I felt into my body and instantly knew what I would love to do’. It’s that simple, being me is the expression of the knowing that comes from our body…sometime we just need to be, still ourselves to hear the whispers of our knowingness, in our body. Sometimes it can feel like a strong pulse and we just know…our body lets us know in so many ways, who we are and how to just be ourselves!
There is immense joy in the simplicity of life and constraint, imposition and lack of space in complexity.
Years ago at school, I remember saying to a teacher “I would love to be like you” – she smiled with the response of “so like and love being YOU”. Years later, I finally understand the wise gift she was offering – now, I am able to bring appreciation and acceptance of being who I am.
Beautiful sharing Stephanie and awesome teacher too 🙂
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy.” It’s an instant reaction to go outside of yourself into ‘thinking’. This morning I was pondering why and it is usually when I feel awkward or not feeling great as I know myself to be. I came to the realization that I have something to express and I have not yet expressed it or moved towards what it is that is there to express. It makes sense that we are vehicles of expression and if we are not expressing our innate beauty to all we will feel something is missing.
Such a feeling of freedom in realising that we do not have to fit a ‘mold’ made by anyone else and that we are indeed all we need to be in simply being our self. Then from here expressing ourselves without reservation in all we do.
A beautiful sharing “The art of being me” not getting caught in the trying to be like someone else and copy how they are. We are all unique and we bring our own essence. When we see others its their inspiration that we should take with us and find our own way with our own essence.
Very beautiful and true Michael, thank you. There is a feeling and connection to the joy I am in my essence every moment I choose to simply be with me and appreciate me as I am. More and more this is becoming the normal experience. What I have been playfully noticing with a sense of wonderment is that the ‘to do list’ are effortlessly evolving into ‘completeness lists’. Thanks for highlighting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the evolution of the tasks at hand being simply and joyfully completed.
Reading this and I can appreciate those moments this week I have felt myself being more accepting of myself. The thoughts that I relate to this person in this way and this is lovely. I have a relationship with a friend whom I am constantly in awe of. In the past this has sometimes slipped into comparison, even jealousy, but I’m appreciating what she brings and have a knowing that we are also different in our expressions and I do not have to copy as a response to being inspired. I am beginning to appreciate my uniqueness as a part of a puzzle – and we are equal as we are bringing a unique angle. Comparison and jealousy make no sense knowing this.
Reading this inspires me to appreciate my uniqueness more so that I appreciate other’s qualities more also. The fun of getting to know who I am which is a forever unfoldment.
There was a time in my life where I even changed the way I spoke and inherited a completely alien accent, or two or three and looking back it is the time I was most lost in my life.
Fiona, I still flip between my American accent and my quasi-British accent. As a kid who was born on the UK but grew up in the US, I wanted to be English – and that meant having the accent too. I wanted to be something I really wasn’t and even changed the way I spoke/speak. The real way I speak is with an American accent, but the old habit creeps in – it’s only been in the recent months where I’ve decided to truly be me in the way I speak. It’s been very revealing.
When we appreciate and embrace that each and every one of us is a Son of God, we will know that the Light of who we are is what is in fact needed in this world, for us to return to living in a way that is in absolute harmony, in honor of the Brotherhood that we have returned to learn to live.
Thank you Michael for sharing so beautifully how it is through being ourselves that we bring a lightness and truth to the world that only we can bring. In society we have so many pictures, images and ideals that are imposed on us 24/7, from a very young age, all asking us to not be ourselves. Yet regardless of how much we may copy another there is no greater reflection of Love and truth that we can be, than that that comes through of living in connection to our essence within.
Hello Michael and this can happen in an instant, “Today I asked myself, “Why?“ Why do I want to be a copy of someone that is not me? Why do I try to create a copy, instead of feeling inspired to do my own thing, my way?” So our life and the way we move in this life is hugely important. If we move with a deep presence and care in every moment then this would leave no room for anything else but more of the same. If we move in any other way, this makes it possible for anything or any thought to enter. What I take from this blog is that life is about movement and the ever deepening quality of it.
’Over the last few days I have gradually started to realise the extent of how often I try to be someone or something I am not.’ – Excellent Michael, you had me nodding already with the first line. I basically lived all my life trying to be something/someone, not until the last few years did I realise that I am good enough just being me, a realisation that is forever unfolding, developing and deepening.
Hear hear, Eva. Michael’s blog has me reflecting on my life and when I try to be someone I’m not. But like you, it’s only been in recent years where I am good enough, in fact I’m amazing! A marker for me to remember to do things in my own way. And I love what you say about it ‘forever unfolding, developing and deepening’ – there is much to appreciate here.
’This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.’ – The most valuable and precious art there is.
The art of being me is allowing and surrendering deeply in each moment. I’m realising that I’m great at work because I’m allowing myself to be the instrument of Love and God. It’s the art of being me that is able to connect to people and support them with what they need because I choose to feel. This is not a skill per se, it’s a knowing, connection and surrendering to whatever is presented and needed in the moment. The delicacy and punctionality are phenomenal. Becoming grander and grander, the more I am surrendering. The art of being me is simply spectacular.
Awesome blog and I love what you just said Kylie.
I have found that when I connect to my innermost I bring forth all that I am. My own agenda goes out the window, I don’t even have one in that moment and I answer questions with more depth on subjects I know little or nothing about and know exactly what to say or do for the good of everyone involved. It’s quite incredible.
Dear Michael, to read your expression here is like caressing my heart and exactly this is it – the art of being me is just amazing and you just inspired me and motivated me to find out more about this piece of puzzle that is called Nadine in this life 🙂 and so way beyond than this life. Thank You.
Art is a word that has been used and abused, taken out of context, attempted to be owned by a few. I feel art is about a natural understanding of the flow of the universe within us, it is the natural expression of this, it brings detail, wisdom and grace to movements whatever form they take.
Allowing life to unfold, “Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy,”. There is joy and ease in knowing that we are enough, more than enough, just as we are,without trying to be someone or something else.
The art is not a pursuit of perfection, but in the exquisite exploration of all that you are.
I love this blog Michael and how you have come to accept and appreciate ‘the art of being me’ – it feels so gorgeous.
‘The Art of Being Me’ – there is none more perfectly suited to be you than YOU. This is a beautiful reminder of what each of us have to bring to the world that is so needed and that by bringing it through a body that is so deeply solid and claimed just adds to the richness that is available. Thanks Michael.
Yes, as the bumper sticker said “Be yourself, nobody is more qualified”.
Love that Christoph – right on the mark.
Thank you Michael, this is just what I needed to read – as a reminder of how I can bring back ease and joy into everything that I do, by simply staying connected with myself and checking in on me as much and as often as I possibly can. So often we can fall into a prescribed way of being rather than just allowing ourselves to flow with what unfolds. This blog unfolds with such ease, and brings much inspiration to do likewise. Herein lies the key – to be inspired by another rather than copying another. When we are inspired we ‘use’ what we have seen in another to ignite something similar within ourselves, something that already lies within, yet our version of the expression can be different, with its own flavour.
I can certainly relate to the ‘copy-cat’ approach to expressing – I became a master of it in school actually and fit myself in with the rest like a chameleon. This way I was hidden and no one could see, hurt or get jealous of my true self. I’ve learnt that this isn’t the way – that we need to see each other in full and share the joy of the love we feel within. And, if that is not received, then that shouldn’t stop us from bringing even more of ourselves to life.
Thank you Michael for reminding me that my expression is unique and the world is waiting for it in it’s fullness! Without my full expression the true beauty of the world is not yet visible.
Being the true me is indeed an art. It is so easy to look at others and copy. Much more fulfilling to truly feel from within who I am and feel how I want to express.
In my life I met people who considered that being alcoholic or pedophile, drinking whisky while smoking dope and watching pornography IS who they are.
So I was confused-how could it be possible?
After meeting Serge Benhayon and his amazing family everything became clear.
We ARE Sons of God. It IS our essence. And everything else is just a result of our choice of energy.
We can choose Love-and be true and Joy-full. Or we can choose otherwise and live in illusion.
You, Michael, are such a delight and example of how to be True Son of God.
You are so right – when we copy someone else we are never authentically us, sure we can be inspired by someone to express more of our own qualities, but in copying another person’s quality the whole world misses out on what is so uniquely you.
So true and we can’t really copy another’s authenticity or quality can we know, as the quality inherent in all of us is deeply personal, a lived expression.
The art of being me, I really liked this Michael. When people consider their life as an open canvas it could be considered a license to do whatever we want – but being art has a universal responsibility and that is to be the true being we are, then the art we produce is of a quality which is a reflection of the light we come from.
This is beautiful Harrison White, gorgeous appreciation and expansion on the articles themes. I agree there is universal responsibility, which is amazing to consider, universal harmony, and with that spaciousness, expansion and freedom in knowing that we are open to life rather than prescribing what it should look like.
It is amazing how different we can feel if we choose to really feel what our bodies are asking for. By taking a short walk, having a nap or even a glass of water when needed, can bring a freshness and new vitality to an otherwise stagnant situation.
I think the art of being me, is in the deepening of the relationship and connection I feel. It can take a myriad of expressions and yet the feeling is always a deepening appreciation of the divine spark that I come from.
All we need to do is bring our own unique piece of the puzzle to the jigsaw of life. What a lovely playful reminder to take into my day, thank you.
How we start our day does make a huge difference as to how the rest unfolds. I can see that i could be a lot more nurturing of myself in the mornings. Thank you Michael.
This is gorgeous Michael. I so love what you’ve written, ‘it is not the perfection that sets them apart, but the unique expression of the artist who created them’; this applies to everything, and it’s true to say from this that there is absolutely no such thing as the perfect looking man or woman, as beauty comes from the expression of the artist in movement and their living way.
How much more simple life is when I am truly being me. It is really hard work to try to be someone else, to be playing a role in life. We become a chameleon, get to the point that we don’t really know who we are, we can be so lost. When I let go of any playing a role, just connect to myself and be me, then life flows so harmoniously, no having to think how I should be, just feeling myself and living from that, letting myself just be. If we all lived that way, it would be wonderful to see how we would all meld together, all bringing our own uniqueness and abilities to the rest of humanity, it would be amazing what we could achieve by just being ourselves.
I am slowly learning to truly be ME, and it is such a glorious unfolding. Much yet to unfold, but I feel your description of being me as being an art is so supportive, yes, I can be a piece of art, but it is an original, not a copy. How fantastic is that. It is an enormous realisation actually, a great encouragement to move forward on my unfolding. Thank you Michael for such a gorgeous article.
It is so supportive to live life from the wisdom of our bodies.
Michael, I love this, ‘I do not need to copy anyone in anything. Be it to eat what others eat, dress like somebody else or carry out my job in the same way that somebody else would approach it.’ Reading this I can feel how what I bring to my work is unique, until recently I compared myself to others and how they worked, holding myself as less; what I can feel reading this is that how the way I work is not less, it is simply a different expression, equally as valid and important as other peoples, thank you.
I agree Monica and what do we learn more from? Following our own experiences and making our own choices based on what we felt at the time, or copying others?
I know I often over-ride what I am feeling to do next in favour of what I think should be done next based on an ideal of belief or picture in my head. It does feel and flow so much easier and smoother when I listen to my body and my feelings as to how things should roll rather than my mind.
I was just having a conversation with someone yesterday on a plane about how much we all look outside ourselves for the way we should be and seek to conform rather than really feeling and discerning what feels right for us. The example I heard from the guy I was speaking to was his observations of people going shopping in trendy shops in London and how he observed that many people would watch to see what other people were looking at and would decide that was what must be trendy and then buy something based on this rather than feeling into it themselves. An interesting trait of human beings that does not really get us anywhere.
Learning to reconnect with what our body needs and shedding the beliefs that trap us in the ‘must haves’ or ‘should do’s’ is quite an art in itself. How refreshing when we do and can respond to what feels most appropriate in the moment to support us to deliver all our attention, love and care to the world.
I love this blog Michael, can we give all children a copy and read it to them on their first day of school? Being the real us is the most important thing we can learn.
I have been someone who always looked to others to guide me, looking outside of myself instead of within for that guidance. This is less the case now, but there is still comparison that comes up. I really loved “I do not need to copy anyone in anything. Be it to eat what others eat, dress like somebody else or carry out my job in the same way that somebody else would approach it.” Especially the part about ‘carrying out my job in the same way….’ I know that this is a continuing claiming for myself around this, working as a consultant, where I am in and out of client sites, it is for me knowing what I bring is vastly different to another consultant and that what I will bring is exactly what is needed.
I love the title Michael the ‘Art of Being Me,’ there is an Art and a Science to living life from our essence. I know that when I am being me, life flows, I don’t bring in doubt, and there is a joy to life that does not happen when I loose myself in trying to be someone else or trying to live up to the expectations I put on myself. It was gorgeous to read your blog and the simplicity by which we can live when we give ourselves permission to be ‘Me”
There is no greater art than ‘the art of being’ and every single person can be a master painter.
Thank you, Michael. I can feel that there is another level to go to in embracing my unique expression, giving myself permission and the freedom to let it come out in whatever way feels true. This is certainly not something that has been encouraged during my upbringing and so it feels slightly alien to me, and yet when I read your words I know it is only going to deepen the love and appreciation I have for myself in a really beautiful way.
“…And when I sat down at my desk, suddenly the work that had been so challenging and time-consuming the days before was now finished in just more than an hour…” it’s amazing that such simple practices as taking care of not rushing out of bed, going for a walk and taking time with ourselves can make us more productive and more solid to be ourselves.
With this blog, the practise of life is an art form, not exclusive to any particular school or group. It simply is life to be an artist of your own development, which makes you a forever student.
Your unique expression comes from the body and not any idealised way or belief that comes from the mind. I know when its true when there is an absolute quality I feel and presence to it. It comes with my authority no matter what it is that is needed for me to bring in that moment knowing that it is about the quality of relationship to myself first and everyone I am in contact with.
Gorgeous Michael. I have noticed that when I try to emulate someone else things often get complicated and messy – this happened to me recently at work when I tried to copy the way someone else filed their emails. I can see now that when I have copied others I have appreciated something about them and then sought to create a short cut for reaching the same point in my own life without actually changing the energy behind the way I do things. It makes far more sense to clock the energy behind what I am inspired by and find my own way to incorporate this into my life in full.
What I also find about not being ourselves is that there is no joy in it.. there’s a flat feeling, as if we’re a cardboard cut-out with no life and no soul. Being ourselves – saying what we feel without holding it back, is the key to a truly fulfilling life. What I’m also feeling is that when I hold back, when I don’t say what I can feel and what the other person needs to hear, even though they might not want to hear it.. it eventually gets said to them by someone else, or by me, when the situation comes around again. There’s no right or wrong in choosing to be, or not be, yourself.. just another opportunity to have another go, in each moment.
‘Whatever I then express from my essence on the “white canvas” in front of me simply unfolds with ease and joy, as this allows and asks me to bring ‘me’ and my inner knowing to it, instead of fervently trying to produce a perfect copy of what I am not.’ How very true and wise. There is nothing deader that a perfect copy of the living original!
Lindy, what a wonderful play on words when you say there is nothing more dead than a copy of the living original! And this is so true, a copy is a copy and nothing more, you feel its hollowness and lack of depth. And then of course there is the difference of when someone is inspired and chooses to express similarly but with and through their own essence – how beautiful is that? And so we can give ourselves permission to ditch the copying that we might have been distracted by, and instead choose to share something unique of ourselves. And so the dead re-turns back to the living…oh boy, this might start sounding like a horror story now!?
Beautiful article Michael. It is interesting the way we copy others who we imagined are more successful or better than us in some way, or we copy others and do and eat like them so that we will be accepted and one of the crowd, little realising that all vitality, true joy and growing relationships depend upon us being exactly who we are even if we ‘stand out’ or are ‘different’, and expressing and sharing this. This is where the alchemy lies. I love what you have said here:
‘I do not need to copy anyone in anything. Be it to eat what others eat, dress like somebody else or carry out my job in the same way that somebody else would approach it. Not only do I not need to be like someone else, in fact I cannot become someone else. Even if I reach such a goal, I will feel no lasting joy or satisfaction, as it will not be me that I have found.’
I sometimes imagine what it would be like if we all, on the count of 3, let go of our facades and false persona and just let ourselves be all that we are. The explosion of joy would be phenomenal. At the moment we tend to wait for everyone else to do it first. In the mean time we are struggling with carrying a persona around that is light years from our true selves.
I fully agree with you here, that persona we carry is so false yet I polished it for many years, making it into something that I thought I needed to be. In process adding layer and layer, facet and detail like a stone statue. I’ve now spent the last decade chipping away at the stone to reveal me, who has always been trapped inside.
I have also been feeling very much lately how often I slip back into putting on a false me, which feels like an uncomfortable but familiar wrapping or encasing. The real me is there when I step back and feel, without any ideas about how that should look. I also become very aware of the fact that there really isn’t an individual me but I am part of a big picture that embraces everything. The falling back into the false me feels like a habit that happens as soon as I am not choosing the real me.
Great blog Michael!… Our own unique expression and way of doing something is what inspires another to connect with their own essence, that then ignites their inspiration and unique style of expression.
Beautiful Michael, love how in your rhythm there is such ease to subsequent activities that make them a joy [not chore] to do.
The examples you bring make it clear how much we can be ruled by images and concepts of how we, things and other people should be in order to fit into the mold we have created. Compare that to the ease of how your morning unfolded when you were you and the choice is really a no-brainer.
It would be impossible to consider comparing famous works of art – for the beauty of them is in the unique expression and the viewers discression and the same is true for us all – we are incomparable and our gifts and expression of these gift should be celebrated.
I was reminded of a card which always made me smile as I was reading your blog which read something life, ‘be yourself, everyone else is taken’. It had a photo of a tall extravagantly dressed woman with fruit on top of her head, along side an older more conservative woman in her hat and overcoat. They were walking side-by-side enjoying themselves and each other.
Being who we are takes all of the pressure away of trying, striving to be something or adorning one of many faces, roles or hats we may frequent. Our wardrobe may reduce to the simplicity of our True face – the original masterpiece.
When we are anxious it can be because we have disconnected from the deeper us, and that creates a tension that will not ease until we can reconnect. When we are simply being ourselves, in full, anxiousness simply does not exists because every thing, as you say, Michael, just flows.
It is so easy to say the words “just being me’ but often our actions and way we live are far from this truth. Thank you Michael Kremer for bringing more awareness to the pressure we place on ourselves that is so unneeded and keeps the best qualities away for us and others to enjoy.
I love the fact we all have different expressions, and if we can appreciate each others rather than compare and want to be like another, we can all receive the the blessings of our unique way of being. I am often inspired by what another brings which only they can. So many colourful reflections born from our equal essence, just like a garden with many different flowers.
I like this blog. It shows me the subtle ways that we can lose ourselves by wanting to fit in or copy. And how that just doesn’t really work, especially for our own wellbeing.
By expressing in full we inspire others to express in full too. So therefore I can see the responsibility I have in not holding back my unique expression.
Beautiful Michael, I could relate to the feeling of wanting to be like someone or something else, The pushing and trying that this involves is exhausting. We chase after an image of perfection, or better than what we are, when we haven’t truly even explored or appreciated the magnificent person we already are.
I love this Michael – we each have a different perspective to offer of the same innate expression.
‘The Art of Being Me’ is so playful, simple, fun and joyful. Reading your blog I could really feel this and it is inspiring me to appreciate life in a way that flows with simplicity and love. What an exquisite way to start your day and how this loving way supported you to be in flow and ease. A very deeply inspiring master piece of art that is forever evolving and emanating love, ‘The Art of Being Me’.
In the past I had not appreciated my uniqueness and what I bring to the world but with more and more connection to myself and acceptance and most of all appreciation, I often reflect on my day and think whoa you are awesome. In doing this, there is no need to compare or try to be like anyone else as I can see clearly the world needs me in my essence and no other version.
When we become a copy of something, there is just an emptiness and a lack of warmth no matter how perfect we may look. This feels deeply disturbing.
This is not a judgement but a factual observation: the Chinese culture has made copying an art in itself, even more meticulous than the original creator, this is something we are very proud of, and in essence we are saying we pride ourselves on the lack of connection with ourselves, when we do this no matter what is achieved, there is no joy in it. This is not a cultural issue but an honesty issue, as it exposes how that we have made what would never bring us to joy into a recognition to seek for.
It is in being ourself we find true joy, copying won’t do the thing and let ourself only searching for more along the way. It is Us that we are looking for and what we choose to live with.
Such a great reminder that we are enough, and I certainly have many examples of seeing others being themselves, standing out, not copy others or diluting who they are to fit in and it is is always impressive. There is simply no substitute for being ourselves. I think particularly as a man it is great to not go into a mode of trying to impress, act out a persona, and of course to express feelings, this is something few men have really mastered and yet one doing so gives permission for others to follow. Thanks Michael.
This is such a lovely blog Michael. You really share so well the joy of being yourself. Thank-you.
I too know all about fitting in, I feel more and more that I can be at ease with who I am which feels soooo much better than the anxious, please like me place I used to live from.
A gorgeous reminder Michael of how simple life is and how easily it flows when we are ourselves.
Being anything but ourselves is utterly exhausting as it means we have to ‘try’ and be something that we are not.
And also very confusing Sandra, but it is so common for us to be how we think we should be, how we think others would like us to be, to do things to get others to like us or accept us, to impress, control, manipulate or hide. We can actually become masters of not being ourselves. I became pretty good at the art of not being myself and had to re-learn how to just be myself, I noticed patterns that I’d developed that were to please others or get a certain outcome, infact just writing this makes me realise how utterly exhausting it is!
Michael, lovely to read and something we could all do far more of! It is exhausting constantly trying to be someone for everyone else. However, the more I am myself and simply express all of me the more people respond and actually prefer the real me. All this trying is pathetic really and gets you nowhere – at least that has been the case for me. Something I have found is how powerful I actually am by simply being me.
Like kids who have been set an exam or a test at school, we think we don’t know what to do and instinctively look around for somone to copy. It can be partners, best friends, ideals in magazines, on TV or in our head, we don’t care as long as those guidelines, rules and structure is there. But what you describe Michael is like throwing that all out and starting from scratch. What a breath of fresh air, listening to just what impulses are there in our body. After so long ignoring and placing junk on top, I feel it can be odd and a bit awkward at first but ultimately this process is like rediscovering a long lost friend and shows so clear – we are all masterpieces underneath.
I am beginning to see this too Michael, accepting myself for who I am, not trying to be like someone else, sound like someone else, or express like someone else. Letting go of playing the ‘chameleon’ takes the pressure out of life and honours who we are in essence, and that is a divine, unique part of the whole.
I love the simplicity of truth in this sharing,Michael. We all bring a very unique flavour to the world that no-one else can copy so lets treasure that and express in a way that others can feel and appreciate it too.
It is so very freeing to express and feel it will be always enough and beautiful just because we are expressing ourselves.
This is great Michael! How often do we seek to be someone else because we see them as living life in a greater way than ourselves and try to be like them for our own benefit – yet never consider what the rest of the world is missing out on when we are not living our full self? Hmm the impact of not living our fullness is much grander than we often consider.
Great message here Michael, trying to be someone else only leaves us feeling empty and adds to our feeling of worthlessness, and never will we be enough. Makes me wonder how many people truly know themselves, and if we are strangers to ourselves do our partners, family and friends actually know us, and who are they living with.
Hello Michael and I love this type of ‘art’, “Approaching my day in this way involves much less effort, emotion and potential frustration – if any at all – rather than trying to copy an image of a certain situation or person which I would allow my mind to suggest, as it does not focus on a certain outcome, but starts from an openness.” This as they say is the flow of life, not getting hooked up in the doing of things but more keeping the dedication to the quality of how you are first. There will and is always plenty to do and so the quality is where it’s at, thank you.
It’s interesting to me that we can be inspired by someone and see them as a true role model, but then we can reinterpret the inspiration and hold our role model up as someone better than us, who we need to be like if we are to live the inspiration they offer – that is, we try to be like them. But to be truly inspired is to embody and express the inspiration in our unique way.
Michael, this is beautiful to read, I love how you share that we are all unique and all have an amazing piece of the puzzle to bring. For years I had a lack of self worth and doubted myself, now I can feel how amazing I am and what I bring and I see this in others too, often they do not see it themselves, it is very lovely how we all have our unique essence and how we have our different ways and qualities, this is to be celebrated – no need for comparison, jealousy or copying.
I can really relate to this blog and it has reminded me of often I can feel an unease when I go into behaviours around people that are similar to what they are expressing such as moaning or being judgemental. It doesn’t feel right and yet I’ve got this belief that this has to occur in order for us to be connected rather than connecting from a place of appreciation for all of those unique expressions that we can instead share with each other. But what I also loved was your approach to life as a white canvas or us to paint on rather than a picture to live up to and copy. Thank you Michael.
I love it Michael. We are our own artist and our expression is an ever evolving work of art…
I love how your described yourself as an art. The way we are with ourselves, how we develop a relationship with ourselves, how we allow this to evolve over time, how we are then with others…it just makes sense that it is all an art. Just as it is a science, religion and philosophy that all gets refined, developed and deepend over time.
Beautiful piece and exactly what I needed to read tonight- something that inspires me to accept myself as I am and not hold myself to ransom for how I would like to be.
We are walking masterpieces, just waiting to be unveiled…
oh love this so much Liane!
The key to simplicity and joy is to truly be oneself, to be me. Note to myself – this is how I am to live from now on.
Absolutely, Michael, we all have our own expression, and when we bring that expression to work together with others, it is amazing what can result from that. The totality of us working together is far, far more than the sum of the usual output of us working separately. That is why true group work can achieve wonders.
How important it is for us to be truly ourselves, feel into our own body what is right for it, and trust the answer we receive. I love your example of not rushing up out of bed to do what you thought was what was needed, but in this case, listened to your body and did what it told you as needed. Your body let you know to make that cup of tea and have a walk. As you found out, everything flowed so easily when you sat down to your desk and the work that had previously appeared so hard, became so much easier and was completed much more quickly. Yes, it is time for us to let go of any images of how or what we should be doing, and leave it to our bodies to guide us on our day. I love the simplicity that comes from doing this, all the stress and complication just disappears.
Beautiful Michael . . .” I had sat down with the joy from my walk and worked with focus and ease” . . . very inspiring.
As the old saying we need to be our self as we are the one best qualified to do so.
Wanting to be a carbon copy derives from the misery we live to warrant to be something else.
After all we are already everything we will ever need to be.
The more we explore our own unique expression, we get to know that it is ours to bring and nobody else is truly qualified.
I absolutely love that, there is no one else in the entire world who has the right skill set to bring our expression except our very own selves. I feel I need regular reminding of this and it needs to go on my fridge door.
That’s cute Vicky, no one else is truly qualified, so if we’re busy trying to be someone else, the job of being us is left vacant and everyone misses out on what that role brings…
Yes indeed Laura, everyone misses out when we are busy being something else than our true essence. We are all part of the tapestry of life which cannot be complete if some of us are missing in action, searching for an illusion.
Its crazy that we would even consider that we would want to be someone else! But so many of us do fall into that trap and can spend lifetimes trying to be someone we are not. I love that you have brought this to our attention Michael. If we are all spending our lives trying to be someone else, how on earth can we build true relationships with each other? Thank goodness for Serge Benhayon who has, and continues to show so many of us that all we have to do is be ourselves, and from there our lives can flourish.
Very true Sandra. I can feel how exhausting it is to try to live up to an ideal that is simply not me. When I choose to be me everything flows and feels easy, there is nothing to second guess.
Our best contribution to this world is to be us to the best of our ability. Even if by trying to be someone else we can achieve some things, the real, true value of it, will never be the same. The problem is that we hold a judgement regarding outcomes and we tend to think that A is way more important than B. We have to really consider the notion of importance. What are we really talking about?
To be who we are and live that is life- giving and brings vitality. To copy another and to live that is exhausting.
We are the greatest authority on ‘us’ and know ourselves inside and out.
It stands to reason that living who we truly are is our most natural expression and once lived we
forever deepen our relationship with ourselves and others.
I smiled reading the last line Michael “This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me.”. I feel the truth, the joy and indeed the simplicity of the fact. Being ourselves is an art. I find myself often going into worrying if I choose what I feel to do (or not do). As if I don’t fully give myself permission to be me and enjoy that. I know that I actually feel very well what I love doing in any given moment, but claiming and enjoying it is something I realise that I’m not (always) accepting. The art of being me, the art of being Floris – how great to read this, that I’m an art in itself. This is gorgeous, cute and lovely. And… very alive.
I love your comment Floris. I too am a natural expert in the art of being Laura!
Thank you Michael for such a clear and simple sharing! I too have often felt in awe of what another can do, such as write, draw or how they may just shine their light so serenely with no effort,( it seems). But I do recognize more now than ever, that we are, as you say unique in our way of being and (expressing} and that is beautiful! We each share a part that makes up the whole, so who would wish for us to be the same !
Great analogy – and yes, better to be a master than a forger.
This is exactly what I was thinking about today and then my mind played tricks on me and started to give me another picture of how I could look or behave. It is nonsense to do this as our true unique expression is all that we need. I remember at school way back in the olden days, we had a teacher that tried to be groovy so that he could relate to the young people. Everyone was very unhappy. The cry went up “why can’t he just be himself?”
Sometimes we have played a part so long, it’s difficult to know how to just be ourselves. Perhaps we just have to live through the discomfort and keep being aware of coming back to ourself and keeping it simple.
I love your description Michael of your approach to the morning, feeling what was needed when, and how this allowed what was previously difficult work to become simple. A super-inspiring approach to life. Thank you.
If we allow ourselves to just be, life becomes very simple.
There are so many levels to this bog in terms of exposing how often we are reinterpreting aspects of life even ourselves! Where is the point that we disconnected from our natural selves and essence and set about making and living a different version of ourselves? This disconnection from our natural way of being is the source of all our discontent and creation.
Living with a white canvas infront of me with no agenda or need to be anything or anyone, and staying focussed on the job in hand is something I am still learning to master. When I do, my day flows as you have described Michael, there is an ease and a joy to the day, By focusing on what I am doing and not allowing myself to be distracted by all the other things that need to get done is making my day so much more enjoyable, I go to bed feeling complete and ready to start the next day..
“Wanting to fit in, wanting to please, thinking that someone else is doing things better than me.”…Is probably most people’s experience of life. I know that it was mine. I am also relearning the art of being me, appreciating my own expression, the way I do things and how I am. How I relate to myself has redefined my relationship with everyone else.
As I feel into what you have written I can sense a loveliness and joy in asking me what I feel like doing rather than instantly focusing on what ‘needs’ to be done or what I think I should be doing. It feels like it brings a playfulness that wasn’t there before.
Why on earth do I look to be a carbon copy, dull and flat when the original holds so much sparkle?
Because by living my sparkle I can no longer avoid so much the responsibility I carry as a divine being. By copying I try to reach perfection, what will never work and so be busy in a circle creation. Stuck & ‘Safe’. But by opening up to my sparkle I have to surrender to the glory I am coming from. This comes with energetic integrity, responsibility and divine power. Ready for that?
This is so beautiful Michael the joy of being you shines out and is felt as is the joy of us all simply being who we are. The key is the appreciation of ourselves just as we are and living this unfolding by listening to our bodies and how it guides us gently with a simplicity and flow that is glorious to feel and be in. This is a true art -the art of being me. How lovely to wake up to this and take me with me through my day.
Wow Michael, this is a powerful and clear statement. Our inner discontent, disharmony and always seeking for more outside of ourselves totally exposes our lack of acceptance of being enough just as we are – a numbing out or forgetting of the divine essence we naturally are within.
“Whenever I am not as I would like myself to be, I will look outside myself for a model to copy”.
Thank you Michael. This means a whole new meaning to the word ‘art’, something that we always associate with a skill or talent, but how often are we encouraged to apply that to our selves. Learning to re-connect to me, my qualities and my expression is definitely an un-folding lesson, but paint brushes in hand, I am loving every minute of it.
This is beautiful. The lightness in this blog is inspiring.
A beautiful blog Michael. “Once we start to express freely, we will see how much of a difference we can make, as others may feel inspired to let go of their walls of protection and suddenly start to show sides that no one was allowed to see before.” Very true. We are all unique yet connected – Staying true to ourselves is so important – not a fake copy of another.
Being our self is the greatest reflection we can offer humanity, as this inspires others to be too. As you have with this blog. Thank you Michael.
Yes it’s seems a little crazy that so many of us, me included, have spent so much time and effort trying to be someone else, when who we are is exactly what we are in this world to express. We all have this wonderful uniqueness that we bring to the world, we are one little piece of a very huge whole, and our piece matters just as much as every other beautifully unique piece.
Spot on Ingrid, we all have a wonderful uniqueness to share and express. Like each of us being a part of a huge puzzle which cannot be completed without each and every piece!
I love the way you unpick the craziness of trying to be a copy of anything rather than being true to your essence and I too have been noticing how often I choose to leave me for all the reasons that you expose. Thank you for inspiring me to focus on the art of being me in all situations and observing what unfolds without judgement.
There are so many beautiful points in this blog, I don’t know where to begin. What you have captured, Michael, is the joyful freedom of not being dominated by ideals and beliefs about who and what you should be, which opens up a whole new realm of experience… in just being you, which is gorgeous beyond words.
How beautiful this is Michael, to simply be yourself. Exposing the dense, long term, built-up layers of who we think we are and discarding them, begins the process of deconstructing the complexity that ‘trying to emulate another’ brings.
“This simplicity and joy for me is art – the art of being me”.
Your blog reminds me of an old 80’s R&B song called ‘nobody can be you but you.’ I used to dance to it but only now comprehend the meaning of those words. We waste so much energy trying to be who we are not. We are the only ones who bring our unique flavour, and I recognise and am inspired when I see others simply being themselves.
I love what you share here Michael it simple, easy and fun … why would we not want to be with ourselves and express from here? The world currently does not reflect this to us or support us to live in this way it is set up to push, strive, achieve, compare, judge all of which is extremely exhausting! As you so rightly say we all have a unique expression and it is for each and every one of us to truly and deeply love and appreciate this and then just be ✨ Life is not about effort it is about Love and being who we truly are.
I like the way you describe how you woke up Michael. Those choices to do things we know support us like going for a walk before sitting down to work make a huge difference. Because you have looked after you first, your work gets you full relaxed and present attention. It’s a win win.
All my life I have wanted to ‘fit in’ and be just like everyone else, so I never wanted to stand out and be ‘seen’ which of course meant I was hiding and not being myself. These days I am much more comfortable being in my body, much more accepting of the wise and beautiful woman I am. With this self- acceptance follows an acceptance of all others and their choices, no longer judging myself harshly, I no longer judge others.
I can so relate to this too, Jacqmcfaddon04, this used to be me as well. If Only I could be like them, talk like them etc etc – and I never could, thank God 🙂 With all the presentations and the work of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, I have also become so much more accepting of who I am, a beautiful, caring, adorable and wise woman as well. And like you shared, the ‘knock-on’ effect is that this is how I now view and perceive others as well, seeing the beauty and wisdom in others and being much more accepting of others and their choices too.
It seems like we are the only species on this planet that has made it an ‘art’ to not being us. We basically learn to not naturally express but to follow rules and and books and people. So coming back to us is simply a return to who we are and not a goal far away from us. This itself shows the simplicity that life is. It is not a reaching and achieving but a returning and drawing from the inner knowing that has always been there and living to the rhythm that we are innately part of.
Love this blog Michael. The art of being me is just allowing myself to express all that I am, and there is no trying or pushing, just simply following my heart.
I have accepted the truth that we are all different, but all of us have important parts to bring to the whole. I have my morning routines that are simple but never set in stone, every day is a new, different day and just flows to what is required.
Until reading your reasons for not wanting to be you I had not appreciated that those so common desires are actually a desire not to be oneself. Of course, once seen and acknowledged it is such common sense and so obvious. Thank you Michael for making the ‘obvious’ obvious
Reading your blog Michael I can feel how much we have complicated life and that it really is as simple as being content in our own skin and living true to ourselves.
A great topic to look at here, it’s made be consider why is it that I put so much effort into wanting to be someone that I am not for someone else? When you describe the artists copying work it shows how limited this approach to life can be, by acting like what we think someone else needs to be we miss out the quality of essence that we can offer, our unique expression.
The investment is a big one that stops us all being who we are. How often do we search for others to be accepting of us but we don’t stop to take into consideration the levels of acceptance we have offered ourselves to start with.
Oh, I love that snuggling up under the blanket, feeling the yumminess of being me.
You describe the classic chameleon, a trait I know well having tried to fit in for a long time. Yet we can’t build a strong foundation of who we are if we are always being dragged off in a different direction every five minutes… while being ourselves holds that deep sense of wholeness that is both irreplaceable, and marks us out as being self-assured, connected and esoteric.
Sometimes I have felt like I needed to be like someone else, and other times I have felt like I had to be different from others. Either way, what was lacking was acceptance and appreciation of myself. We all are absolutely equally the same same but different, and all we are ever asked to do is just be ourselves – this is the truth of us. I know this for me sometimes is a mere head concept but one I aspire to truly live in my whole body, every day.
When we try to copy another we are a follower but when we are inspired by another to be who we truly are we bring our own essence to add colour to the whole and in this we may inspire others to find the beauty of their own essence.
I have noticed the difference being inspired by another. There is so much more room to bring in your slant, your flavour and your own way that is always slightly different than another but on the outside can look very much the same.
Beautifully said Mary. And there is no point to trying to be anything or anyone else – as the saying goes ‘Be yourself because everyone else is taken’
I agree Michael. You may be even more productive as well!
We can so easily shrink from the world and give our power away to others and in this we shrink even from ourselves . It seems that when this happens it is often because we have started to judge a situation or a person and we have started to judge ourselves in relation to the situation or person/s. Coming back to the truth enables us to move forward in the truth of who we are.
To invest in the art of being me is the most valuable art I can (re-)learn. It expands from lifetime to lifetime and never dies.
Our expressions and what we reflect to others that is true and love cannot be underestimated….and the ripple affect it has in our homes, work places, schools, shopping centres, towns, countries and the world.
What I sense while reading this blog is that it actually is very hard and tiresome to copy the behaviors and way of being from others compared to the ease and natural flow that living to my own impulses brings.
Gorgeous Michael – it is an instant example of how we can relate to things in life , but that those things are often not actually me, us in true essence.. So that it is rightly asked, who are we and or what are we playing alike if we do not live who we truly are?
Funny to read about your morning, Michael, as I had exactly the same experience this morning. I really enjoyed being with me and also feeling how would I like to walk, how does my body want to walk without any idea of what I might consider is a good or the right way to walk as I do at times. There really is nothing more gorgeous than being me and as you say there is nobody else I could be anyway so nuts that we even try!
And isn’t it beautiful how much space and time seem to be there when we are just ourselves – no pressure at all just a gorgeous rhythm.
I am so glad that the importance of just being me is now so obvious. For years and years I wished to be someone’s, but couldn’t obviously achieve that,but i wanted to not be me, because I assumed that being me was of no value. No matter how others react, i know now that I matter because I am unique and amazing and am so needed by the world.