Integrating Our Contrary Parts
We can’t become whole by cutting off parts of ourself because they are not accepted by someone else. We become whole by integrating all of our parts, even the contrary parts, into our being. As Walt Whitman said, we contain multitudes. Each of us has shiny, sunny aspects and each of us has quirky contradictions. All of these parts make us the beautiful, unique being who we are.
Waking up to who we are requires us to let go of the people-pleasing traits that we imagined we had to cultivate so that everyone would like us. Having a life where everyone likes us is a child’s fantasy. Be yourself. Let everyone else be theirselves.
Stay strong and trust yourself. Cultivate an inner life where you examine you. When you do, you will find that you are much less concerned about the opinions of others. Create a new life for yourself where you live from your own center, your own compass.