In the philosophy of yoga, Satya is one of the Yamas, or inner restraints, that explores truthfulness. While the idea of authenticity appeals to most of us, the actual practice of living our truth often requires a great deal of courage. We tend to look at others who are unapologetically themselves and wonder if we could ever really be like them. So, why does something so worthy of imitation feel so unattainable? 

Well, if you are anything like me, it’s because you would much rather be comfortable and in familiar territory, than confront the hard stuff within yourself in order to gain the long-term benefits. Let’s be honest, as long as you are feeding yourself white lies, you can maintain a false reality that doesn’t require you to change or admit your potential areas of weakness. Up until now, you’ve been choosing the well-worn passive way of life that just kind of happens to most people.

By now you may be thinking “Well hey Linda! Why should I dwell on the fact that my life isn’t at all as I imagined it would be, or sit with any of the ugliness from my past that bubbles up from time to time? This works just fine, thank you, and there are plenty of other people doing much worse than me.” You know, you’re probably right. You’re not doing so bad, and change is hard work, so…why don’t I just leave you be?

Because your hesitation to fully embrace the truths in your life is what’s getting in the way of your desired future. And the more time you invest in avoiding the difficult yet rewarding process of breaking free, the further away you get from a meaningful life, rich relationships and lasting impact. So…it’s a pretty big deal. 

The really good news in all this is that once you are able to embrace and work with the truth, you pave the way for the positive growth and agency you desire. And by not lying to yourself or those close to you, you get to experience tremendous freedom. No more having to keep up with the false stories you present about yourself, no more wondering whether you are truly accepted or people just enjoy the false image you created to represent you. 

Just you, being fully,authentically you. 

It is possible to have the life that you want while living that life with real integrity. The happiest people aren’t the ones doggedly ignoring their weak spots or the ones passively leaving their future to chance. The ones among us who are willing to face up to what actually is are then able to create the lives they desire, all because they make a conscious choice to start at the beginning, with where they are right now. Today. Simply pretending to have it all together won’t get you any further. But making the commitment to being gut-level honest with who you are today and not distorting your present reality? That could get you just about anywhere.