I remember when good friend of mine asked this question: “What is God saying to YOU?” Being present with myself has been a key to untangling this question.
My friend asked me this during a period when my whole family was going through a very challenging time. I was working through a lot of things that I had stuffed down for almost my entire life from childhood and from my original family-related issues.
I Don’t See Myself!
I clearly recall sitting there for a long time (not sure how long but it felt like really a long time) with my eyes closed and I finally said “I don’t see myself”! And then it hit me so hard that I couldn’t separate myself from everyone and everything around me: my family, my work, my responsibilities, and my duties, etc. There was no “ME” to be found. I was so sad that day that I couldn’t see myself.
This triggered me to begin this journey of searching. It has been a long journey as I buried myself so deep within me due to some of the unfortunate things that had happened to me as a young girl I lived my life feeling like everyone else around me was telling me what I was supposed to do and what I was supposed to be like.
I Found Myself!
I still remember at our Commencement (Graduation Day) when Mark J asked me what my Master Key Experience (MKE) journey had been like.
I replied very simply: “I found myself!”
What a freedom I felt finally seeing myself and starting to find who I was and letting my true self rise. It has been a long journey since then. I also went through Spiritual Formation course for 2 years following MKE and of course I have been continuing with MKE every year as a Guide so I can continue to let myself shine more and more.
Practice Being Present with Myself
Most recently, I’ve been focusing on practicing “Being Present” with myself, with others and with God. I am realizing how important it is to understand and practice “Being Present” with myself first. If I don’t know how to be with my true self, paying attention to my inner self, and embrace who truly I am, then how could I dare to say that I can “Be Present” with Others or God?
It really takes practice to be in solitude and silence, to get in tune with myself. Without this practice, I would completely miss living according to who I am and what are my true passions and purpose in this life.
I Am
“I am calm, peaceful, confident, and loving. I am a resilient peacemaker and an inspirational faith builder.”
This is my affirmation and my authentic calling which I have discovered during the MKE course of self-discovery journey. I love to claim this and remind myself of it each day.
Whenever I feel off or find myself veering into any negative mindset, I claim this and remind myself of the affirmation. What a freedom and peace I feel!
How about you? Can you see yourself? Your true self? Not the one who others expect you to be or even what you expect you to be, but your authentic self? I would challenge you to take a good long time of solitude and silence to be able to sit with yourself long enough to find your authentic self.
Yes, it’s not easy but it’s so worth it! You will want to do it more and more once you start seeing this amazing authentic being that you are: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy!
Thank you so much for this inspirational blog post. How powerful!
Thank you, Arlene, for your encouragement!
Very nice post Esther. Your affirmation speaks volumes!
Yes, thank you, Michael, it’s great to be able to say this to myself to remind myself of who I am and to continue living with purpose and on purpose!
Witnessing your journey and having the honor and pleasure of witnessing your beautiful evolution is beyond words, my friend. Just love this: “I am calm, peaceful, confident, and loving. I am a resilient peacemaker and an inspirational faith builder.”
The world is blessed by your presence. Thank you for being such a giver, Esther.
Thank you, Lori for your very warm and encouraging words. Your guidance at the beginning of my MKE journey played very significant impact in my journey and I am so grateful for this very powerful session that you and Lucinda created helping so many of us finding our life’s purpose. I am very proud to say that you were my guide!
Thank you for sharing this lovely and inspiring blog post Esther! It is so important what we say to ourselves and also, to see and understand who we are, our true selves, before we can be truly present with others.
Yes, Monica, it is very important what we say to ourselves and to see and understand who we are. Aren’t we so blessed to be in this journey of finding our true self and let this beautiful person to shine brighter each day? Thank you for walking this journey together through MKE!
Esther, your blog really touched my soul in many ways. I really liked this statement: “Being Present” with your self, with others and with God. Realizing how important it is to understand and practice “Being Present” with your self first. If you don’t know how to be with your true self, paying attention to your inner self, and embrace who you truly are, then how could you dare say that you can “Be Present” with Others or God?” Wow! this was powerful, and hope to think on this more. Another statement that you said that was an eye opener was: Can you see yourself? Your true self? Not the one who others expect you to be or even what you expect you to be, but your authentic self? Thanks for sharing your gems. I will have to think on this one some more. How do you not listen to others’ opinion on what they expect you to be and how do you open their eyes to your new authentic self?
Hi Eulaine, thank you for your very generous words and encouraging words. What a great questions that you have asked here. How do you not listen to others’ opinion on what they expect you to be and how do you open their eyes to your new authentic self? Like what we usually say “Let’s take this to our “Sit” to meditate and see what we learn. Thank you!
Being Present is very tough to recognize in self. It took me a while to figure put how un-present, I was.
Love your blog Esther and I enjoy your reading of this blog. Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate it.
This is so simply profound, Esther! I am so glad you found yourself…and that you wrote this to guide us.
What wonderful encouragement you give people to find themselves and finding peace through the tools of the Master Key Experience. Here’s to more discovering this wonderful opportunity!