What does it mean to be true to ourselves? I would like to address that question using recent events.

Bruce Jenner, an Olympic hero, became a different type of hero by being true to HERself and Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, the Vice President’s Son, was memorialized by President Obama last weekend as a “humble servant.”

It took many years for Caitlyn Jenner to be true to herself. Caitlyn is an example for many adolescents that struggle with gender identity to be kind and gentle with themselves until they feel comfortable.

Please find an adult you trust and talk to them. Some parents worry about the challenges their children face with gender identity issues. Several therapists in private practice and agency settings provide this type of counseling. Seek them out.

Plain and simple…abuse is abuse. It does not matter if it is being done in a family or public setting. One of the hardest challenges survivors face is to be assertive and come forward. Being true to ourselves means we all have our definition of how the abuse we endured affects our lives.

If you have been affected by trauma and abuse, please contact The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. They are a not-for-profit agency that provides all services free of charge. Their 24-hour hotline is (610) 692-7420 and is located on Market Street in West Chester.

The thousands of citizens who came out to honor Beau Biden last week and into weekend was impressive. In spite of a stroke and brain cancer, Biden fought daily and invested in the community. He was true to himself and his family.

Being true to ourselves in the workplace can be especially challenging. We run the risk that if we speak up we could lose our jobs. This dilemma can create stress, anxiety, and depression.

Whether it is our identity, abuse, heroism or being assertive with ethical and moral dilemmas; confide in someone. Don’t keep these issues bottled up.

How do we  lives honor our true selves in our everyday:

1. Respond vs. React. Stand up for yourself. This choice may mean that the person(s) you are communicating with may not appreciate your assertiveness. Please remember we are only in control of ourselves. Give the other person space to process their thoughts and feelings.
2. Explain vs. Justify. You have a right to your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. You also have the right to share them. Keep in mind while sharing them use a neutral tone of voice and do not use your thoughts, feelings, and opinions to harm another.

A wise philosopher (In this case, Snoopy!) stated, “Be true to yourself.  No one can ever tell you’re doing it wrong.”  All of us take a risk whether in our personal or professional lives being assertive, setting boundaries, going against the grain.  But no matter the outcome you were true to yourself.

And at the end of the day we can look at ourselves and smile.

Enjoy and honor who you are…always!
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Top photo credit: compass via photopin (license)