Who You Really Are
February 6th, 2008, by Shelley Riutta
One of the things that is so facinating for me is when I meet with people either clients or out socially and I notice that they really don’t get how wonderful they are. They can’t see the the light, the love, the magnificence of who they really are. They are caught up in a self-perception that is inaccurate and untrue. It could be a self-perception that is based on negative comments people made to them as a kid “You are so stupid” “Why are you doing it that way” “What is wrong with you”. Or it could be based on what they interpreted by the way others treated them example: if their parents were caught up in their own pain and struggles and didn’t spend time with them they may have interpreted this as “I am not worthy enough to spend time with–something is wrong with me”.
As a child and oftentimes as an adult people don’t understand that if someone is saying hurtful things or treating someone in unloving ways- it means that their hearts are closed and they are unable to see themselves or the other person clearly. I say to clients that the comments they hear that are hurtful are coming from someone who has a closed heart—therefore their perception is distorted. It is like this person is looking through a dirty window and they only see the dirt, but not what is really on the other side of the window. If someone’s heart is open their vision is clear and they can see accurately.
So if you think back to hurtful comments you have heard from people–trust that their hearts were closed and they weren’t seeing you clearly and these comments are not true. If you think back to the loving comments you have heard from others-trust that these comments were coming from someone whose heart was open and therefore they were able to see you clearly–these comments are true!
What happens is people hear these hurtful comments or experience someone being unloving to them -they take these as true and accurate. This then distorts their own vision of themselves. They too are looking at themselves through a distorted lens that is blocking out the truth of who they really are. I suggest to clients to catch themselves when they are operating from an old false view of themselves that are inaccurate. Then if they open their own hearts to themselves with an intention to see themselves through the eyes of love–they can see the truth of who they really are.
Exercise to see your Authentic Self more Clearly
Try this right now. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Breath into your heart and imagine a color that represents unconditional love—see this color filling and opening your heart. Feel this color permeating your body–this energy of love. Then ask your intuition and the highest part of you to show you a vision of who you really are in your minds eye. The vision may come in vibrant colors of your essence, or images of you as a loving child or some other image that helps you to see yourself more accurately. Trust what comes and see this as the truth of who you really are!
Hi, I'm Shelley Riutta MSE, LPC a Holistic Psychotherapist in private practice. I specialize in helping people connect with their Authentic selves--and from this create a life that is in alignment with their Life Purpose and filled with Joy. I offer transformational individual counseling, presentations, groups and Workshops. You can get my Free Workbook "What Do You REALLY Want: Finding Purpose and Passion in Your Life" here or contact me at 920-265-2627.
