What If?
What if I told you that 2025 is meant to be the year that you are liberated? The year that you can set yourself free to be exactly who you are? So many experiences throughout life try to thwart that inclination- familial dynamics, society's fabrics, and "rules" created by communities' norms whether cultural, race and gender related, or religious.
The truly ultimate in happiness and bliss is exercising your free will. Let me define what I mean by free will- breaking through any labels or systems that hold you back from being exactly who you are at your core. I have written other articles that addressed living your authenticity and radically accepting your dualities (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/everyone-has-divine-sparkits-choice-embrace-live-michele-gorman-z1lde/?trackingId=0ZvcZMIKT%2FKFr2hyDNN4RA%3D%3D), the power of the heart and healing, and accepting your leadership role if you have always felt like a black sheep (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/do-you-consider-yourself-black-sheep-embrace-your-power-gorman-xpbne/?trackingId=WWn1916nRs2gdpF%2FrJL7Rg%3D%3D). They might be helpful should you want to explore more.
Let’s advocate for a world where everyone is free to embrace their full, multifaceted selves. Our world is filled with labels and systems that try to dictate who we should be, and in doing so, they often steal our joy. What narratives or labels are you unconsciously supporting? How might you challenge them to create balance within yourself and others? When you reflect on what is truly authentic for you, think about the things that simply don’t resonate. For example:
Are you an emotional man who hasn’t been able to fully express your depth because of how you were raised?
Do your familial or cultural norms tell you that you cannot fully embrace your dating choices?
Does your religion require you to comply with something that doesn’t align with how you want to live, or advocate for something you don’t truly believe?
Are you surrounded by people who dismiss your voice or discourage you from chasing your dreams?
There are countless layered dynamics that suggest how one should show up in the world, often leading people down the wrong path—away from their authenticity. Deep in the recesses of the mind, fear is often programmed by systems designed to maintain power. Your ability to take action can be thwarted by thoughts like, "What will people think?" "What if I fail?" or "What if I let someone down?"
It’s time to take a stand for radical ownership of yourself.
You are responsible for every choice, or every inaction, that either aligns with or contradicts your values and beliefs. The truth is, not everyone will respect or like you, or agree with you, no matter what you do. You could spend your entire life trying to conform to the standards set by family, community, religion, or society—and never feel like you measure up. Any system that seeks to control individuals' free will is built on fear: fear that you’ll break free, fear that the power dynamic will crumble, fear that resources will dwindle, and so on.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you run wild, commit harmful acts, rebel against religion, break laws, or engage in any other destructive behavior. What I’m calling for is self-discipline—owning your choices, your daily actions, and your alignment with your true self. Stop letting yourself off the hook for not actualizing your best self. Don’t let external disruptors stand in the way of your authenticity.
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ― Brene Brown
The bottom line is that the only thing that truly has power over you is you. Stop making excuses for not chasing your dreams, resenting the proverbial roadblocks, and neglecting to live your most authentic life. It’s time to take a stand for yourself—let go of fear, ego, and your perceptions of power and how you fit into societal standards. Surround yourself with the abundance, daily joy, and love that you choose.
Reflect on your own narrative. Practice grace by forgiving yourself and others for not knowing or doing better. Broaden your perspective, evolve with the lessons life offers, and flourish. It is only when you, and others, are in this space that true peace, abundance, gratitude, and unconditional love can thrive.
Be grateful for today- because you woke up, it offers the opportunity and the gift to rewrite your story.