Hey lovely,

Ever since this morning as I was catching up with the Body Loving Homework Live discussion boards (crazy inspiring, by the way), I have been meditating on the concept of telling ourselves the truth and utilizing "truth-telling" as a core value in the relationship that we are cultivating with ourselves.

Initially, I thought to myself, "Well, this is a no brainer. Don't we all want to be told the truth? This makes perfect sense."

And, though I knew that truth-telling is crucial, I began to feel a bit uneasy.

There are many times when we don't want to be told the truth.

There are many moments when we want our stories wrapped up in pretty packages with beautiful bows. We want our information sugar-coated, or neatly rounded out by a teachable moment. We want to know that we are on the right track, even when we can't make sense of it all.

I've been there. Believe me. I've had those moments when I've stomped my feet and prayed that someone would just come, scoop me up, and fix everything for me. I've begged. I've pleaded. I've demanded.

And yet, this is unavoidable: telling ourselves the truth is one of the most powerful tools that we have.

Whether you are after that corner office, a hot and heavy romantic relationship, or simply a pair of jeans that you can pull up and zip without acrobatics - the road from where you are to where you want to go is paved by moments of truth shared with yourself.

It is impossible to do this work if you are being dishonest yourself - either about what you want, where you've come from, or how you're treating yourself.

You will survive telling yourself the whole truth about what is going on in your life.

Though it may not feel like it, there is nothing that is so far outside of your ability to understand that you cannot survive it's re-telling, and the truth is, there is shame and guilt hiding in the crevices that you have been avoiding. That shame and guilt is holding you back, binding your best efforts and keeping you second guessing your brilliance.

You deserve an honest relationship with yourself.

You deserve to tell yourself the truth.

Today, I encourage you to take one leap of faith. This could take many forms :: getting honest about how much you actually owe, clearing your closet of clothing that doesn't fit, buying yourself a new article of clothing that feels fantastic - and ignoring the size on the label, making the decision to ditch a habit that just isn't working for you right now, or carving out time in your day for that rest that you have been telling yourself you don't deserve.

When we tell ourselves the truth, we begin to heal.

When we ask ourselves honest questions, we have to be open to hearing our own answers.

When we are honest, we can begin to celebrate our lives as they are, right now.

That's where your truth lies. That's your spirit's domain.

You will be better for it.

xoMara

P.s. If you're ready to start telling yourself the truth, but feel like you might need a little support to help sort through it all, I'd love to work with you. Here is your official invitation.