Vulnerability and authenticity are big buzz words these days. But what exactly do they mean?  How do we get there? To that place where we are able to be open and free with another human being. I don’t know about you but for me being open with another person sounds so scary. I would pretty much rather do anything than to tell someone my deepest secrets.  And yet, my heart craves deeply to be seen, heard, and understood. So how do we share our true selves with someone if we aren’t willing to bear witness to own story. The simple answer is we can’t. Our ability to love and know others is a direct correlation with how we show up for ourselves.

The only way that I have found connection is to first have a deep and loving relationship with myself. The more time I spent with her-my soul, my highest self the more open and willing I was able to be with others. Journaling for me was that means of communication. Of deep knowing, of contact, of exploration, of growth with my highest self.  Here on the confines of a white page I was finally able to be fully free.  To be me. To be seen without judgement. To stand completely naked in my truth and to be held and loved for all that I was and all that I wasn’t. No masks, no expectations. Just me in my rawest form being held and loved unconditionally every day.

This art, this practice completely transformed my life and my relationships with others and to the world. I was finally able to see myself through the eyes of love. To know that I had a voice and she mattered. This is more than a simple journaling exercise. This a scared space for you and your highest self to grow together. To learn. To cry. To heal.  To find your voice. To get to know her, the part of you that you abandoned for the world. Each word is a piece of your story that you are finally able to own and shed.  I have been unable to find any healing method as effective as this simple practice. It’s like having your very own spiritual advisor on hand at all times. All you need is a notebook and a pen.

Sounds easy right? I promise it is. We humans are the ones that make it hard.

• Step One:

Is showing up every day. Carving out time to write. It can be as short as five minutes but it’s the act of showing up that matters. This simply step is saying that I am of value and I matter.

• Step Two:

Is to start to develop a relationship with her- your soul. She is going to be your new best friend. Instead of picking up that phone to call someone for advice go to her first. See if you can find the answers here within yourself.  Ask her for advice and then free write back to yourself. It will feel weird at first but again all things new feel awkward.

• Step Three:

Come back every day and write. You don’t always have to ask for advice. You can talk to her about your day. Your fears. Your worries. Your desires. Nothing is off limits. And there is no judgement. She will listen like no one you have talked to before. And she knows exactly what your soul needs every single time. She is your most beloved friend.

You will see as this relationship continues to blossom and grow, the more you will be able to openly show up for others. This is about so much more than writing your feelings on a page. This is about getting to know your highest most authentic self. This about finding your voice. This about self-reliance and developing your intuition. This is about healing and letting go of shame. This is truly the ultimate spiritual practice in the development of self and to be able to relate to others. The extent that you love and show up for yourself will be a direct correlation of how you show up in the world. We are at place in time where we need more souls alive, open, and free. This is the only way to a fulfilled life.  So, go on pick up that pen, she is waiting for you.