Forgotten Self-False Self
Inspired art transforms the artist. ~Lynyetta G. Willis, PhD
After writing, My Forgotten Self, I thought it was my job to mold the text into what it needed to be; however, over time I realized that I was being molded as I gained a deeper awareness of--
my forgotten Self--the spiritual part of me that is who I was created to be; the carrier of my divine DNA.
And
my false self or ego--those well-intentioned parts of me that seek to protect and promote who I think I am.
My initial reaction to this awareness was to eject my false self from my car of consciousness. It always seemed determined to bring it's friends: fear, anger, regret, and self-consciousness along for the ride. However, I've learned that my attempts to eject my false self only created more problems and exhaustion (think Hercules chopping a head off of the hydra beast only to realize that 2 more heads emerged in its place...ugh).
Over time, I realized that my false and forgotten selves can co-exist within my car of consciousness. The remedy did not require that I waste energy ejecting (or head slicing); but that I become more aware of which self--false or forgotten--is driving. I now know that my false self is not bad, it's short-sighted or often afraid.
When we recognize that our false self is driving, 3 key lessons can aid us in surrendering the wheel (or our will) to our forgotten self. For most of us, this surrendering process feels continuous but when it occurs, our potential destinations are limitless.
my forgotten Self--the spiritual part of me that is who I was created to be; the carrier of my divine DNA.
And
my false self or ego--those well-intentioned parts of me that seek to protect and promote who I think I am.
My initial reaction to this awareness was to eject my false self from my car of consciousness. It always seemed determined to bring it's friends: fear, anger, regret, and self-consciousness along for the ride. However, I've learned that my attempts to eject my false self only created more problems and exhaustion (think Hercules chopping a head off of the hydra beast only to realize that 2 more heads emerged in its place...ugh).
Over time, I realized that my false and forgotten selves can co-exist within my car of consciousness. The remedy did not require that I waste energy ejecting (or head slicing); but that I become more aware of which self--false or forgotten--is driving. I now know that my false self is not bad, it's short-sighted or often afraid.
When we recognize that our false self is driving, 3 key lessons can aid us in surrendering the wheel (or our will) to our forgotten self. For most of us, this surrendering process feels continuous but when it occurs, our potential destinations are limitless.
False Self Joy Ride
Last month, while taking part in the Decatur Book Festival, my dear friend and volunteer, Nicole, laughed when I told her I only brought 100 copies of my new children’s book, My Forgotten Self, to sell--
Nicole: Yeeeeah, that’s not enough. You’re gonna to sell out.
Me: Yeah right, there are so many children’s vendors here. I‘ll be lucky if I sell 50 copies.
Ultimately, Nicole was right! I sold out, and had to take pre-orders from additional customers who read the demo copy. I was astonished! I became so full watching parents and children marvel over the illustrations, develop an emotional connection to Tiev’s tale and express a deep resonance with the books message. I received so many leads about churches, schools and organizations that would love and needed this book. I felt honored to listen to stories from those who felt like Tiev at some point in their lives. The lines forming at my booth of children and parents awaiting their first read or purchase of my book excited me!
Nicole: Yeeeeah, that’s not enough. You’re gonna to sell out.
Me: Yeah right, there are so many children’s vendors here. I‘ll be lucky if I sell 50 copies.
Ultimately, Nicole was right! I sold out, and had to take pre-orders from additional customers who read the demo copy. I was astonished! I became so full watching parents and children marvel over the illustrations, develop an emotional connection to Tiev’s tale and express a deep resonance with the books message. I received so many leads about churches, schools and organizations that would love and needed this book. I felt honored to listen to stories from those who felt like Tiev at some point in their lives. The lines forming at my booth of children and parents awaiting their first read or purchase of my book excited me!
During the festival, I floated on a cloud. Sadly, when I arrived home, my cloud dissolved as I was hit with a harsh realization:
I didn’t get any customer email addresses for follow-up. That was my tribe, my audience and I let them walk away! WHY didn’t I think of this?!?
I spent the next three weeks frustrated with myself. Nothing soothed me, not the “Thank you for sharing your book with the world!” Facebook posts; the email from a mother asking permission to paint a quote from the book on her daughter’s wall; the psychologist who purchased a copy and asked to receive it as soon as possible for her client. While these moments satisfied me briefly, the memory of “the royal screw up” smothered my joy with frustration.
My thoughts--How could you forget?!–made it difficult to rest in the awesomeness of what was happening:
A book was born through me and enjoyed by so many. People understood its message and integrated it into the lives of their most valuable treasures—their children.
I didn’t get any customer email addresses for follow-up. That was my tribe, my audience and I let them walk away! WHY didn’t I think of this?!?
I spent the next three weeks frustrated with myself. Nothing soothed me, not the “Thank you for sharing your book with the world!” Facebook posts; the email from a mother asking permission to paint a quote from the book on her daughter’s wall; the psychologist who purchased a copy and asked to receive it as soon as possible for her client. While these moments satisfied me briefly, the memory of “the royal screw up” smothered my joy with frustration.
My thoughts--How could you forget?!–made it difficult to rest in the awesomeness of what was happening:
A book was born through me and enjoyed by so many. People understood its message and integrated it into the lives of their most valuable treasures—their children.
Who's in the Driver's Seat?
I recently came across an article by spiritual teacher, Dr. Wayne Dyer who transitioned last month. The article is about living ones purpose:
"…if you’re motivated to be of service to others while being authentically detached from the outcome, you’ll feel on purpose, regardless of how much abundance flows back to you. Allow yourself to be in the feeling place within you that’s unconcerned with such things as vocational choices or doing the things you were destined to do." ~Dr. Wayne Dyer
When My Forgotten Self was divinely gifted to me I thought,
“I am going to publish this book, not for glory but because this is my role in the life of this tale. Whether it is enjoyed by one reader or a million is not my concern. Thy (God’s) will be done.”
After the Decatur Book Festival, my false self, hopped into the driver’s seat. My thoughts transformed from,
“thy will” into “my will...my customers...my audience...my tribe…”
Fear, frustration, regret and desire propelled my actions; my peace and joy became aligned with my false self’s short-sighted view of success. As Dr. Dyer cautions against, I became attached to the outcome of this journey. I now remember, this is God’s book and God decides what it should accomplish. I can now chuckle at the irony that as a writer of a book about our inherent self-worth, I began to tightly coil my self-worth and success around the momentum of that very book!
"…if you’re motivated to be of service to others while being authentically detached from the outcome, you’ll feel on purpose, regardless of how much abundance flows back to you. Allow yourself to be in the feeling place within you that’s unconcerned with such things as vocational choices or doing the things you were destined to do." ~Dr. Wayne Dyer
When My Forgotten Self was divinely gifted to me I thought,
“I am going to publish this book, not for glory but because this is my role in the life of this tale. Whether it is enjoyed by one reader or a million is not my concern. Thy (God’s) will be done.”
After the Decatur Book Festival, my false self, hopped into the driver’s seat. My thoughts transformed from,
“thy will” into “my will...my customers...my audience...my tribe…”
Fear, frustration, regret and desire propelled my actions; my peace and joy became aligned with my false self’s short-sighted view of success. As Dr. Dyer cautions against, I became attached to the outcome of this journey. I now remember, this is God’s book and God decides what it should accomplish. I can now chuckle at the irony that as a writer of a book about our inherent self-worth, I began to tightly coil my self-worth and success around the momentum of that very book!
True Self Takes the Wheel with 3 Powerful Lessons
Once I realized that my false self was driving, through meditation, I sat still and requested guidance on how to realign with qualities of my true forgotten self—courage, curiosity, clarity, creativity. I was guided back to My Forgotten Self (the book :-) ) and 3 important lessons:
1. Tiev learns that she possesses within her, a divine source of power and
guidance.
Within you rests a spiritual GPS guided by spirit. Set your intentions, remember that all is in perfect divine order and follow your spiritual guide.
2. Tiev learns that she is treasured and loved by Love Itself.
No ego-driven measure of success like book sales make you worthy; you are already there. Your worth is not a product of what you produce; it is a product of your divine DNA. You exist because you are enough. You are enough because you exist!
3. Tiev becomes discouraged by the limiting beliefs of those around her.
Your visions have limits, your soul does not. Sometimes, we become anxious, afraid and discouraged by mistaking our limited view of reality for all that is and all that we are equipped to handle. Remember, as far as you (or others) can see does not mark the end of the road.
1. Tiev learns that she possesses within her, a divine source of power and
guidance.
Within you rests a spiritual GPS guided by spirit. Set your intentions, remember that all is in perfect divine order and follow your spiritual guide.
2. Tiev learns that she is treasured and loved by Love Itself.
No ego-driven measure of success like book sales make you worthy; you are already there. Your worth is not a product of what you produce; it is a product of your divine DNA. You exist because you are enough. You are enough because you exist!
3. Tiev becomes discouraged by the limiting beliefs of those around her.
Your visions have limits, your soul does not. Sometimes, we become anxious, afraid and discouraged by mistaking our limited view of reality for all that is and all that we are equipped to handle. Remember, as far as you (or others) can see does not mark the end of the road.
I Remember...
My Forgotten Self is a divinely inspired work. Though I am committed to its journey, it is God’s creation and I surrender it to God. If it’s a NY Times bestseller—great! If not, that’s okay also. I release all outcome expectations, commit to following my spiritual GPS and enjoying the ride. When I become anxious, I will remember—Thy Will Be Done. And so it is.
How About You?
1. To what measure of success is your self-worth bound—children, career, relationships?
2. What outcome expectations can you release?
3. What fears, doubts, or limiting beliefs hold you back?
4. What stories of disappointment and regret block you from viewing your blessings?
5. Do you know that you are worthy? Treasured? Loved? Enough? (because you are ;-) )
6. What is your “I remember” statement?
Comment below! I'd love to hear from you. :-D
2. What outcome expectations can you release?
3. What fears, doubts, or limiting beliefs hold you back?
4. What stories of disappointment and regret block you from viewing your blessings?
5. Do you know that you are worthy? Treasured? Loved? Enough? (because you are ;-) )
6. What is your “I remember” statement?
Comment below! I'd love to hear from you. :-D
Namaste!
RSS Feed