What are your inner truths?  Sometimes, it helps to know precisely what you believe in and to hold these truths in your heart when others fail to see the best in you.  Let your inner truth speak for itself.  You don’t need to tell anyone or say or do anything in particular.  For instance, if someone questions your worth, you challenge them more by believing in yourself and walking away than by arguing with them.  Feeling misunderstood is painful but healing is possible.  Begin by giving yourself the understanding you deserve.

Following are the principles or ideals that, over time, I’ve come to appreciate as pathways to healing and nurturing the connections we have with others.  Perhaps they can offer you a template or some ideas for your own list.

Lisa’s Principles

• Loving unconditionally, acting in the best interest of others regardless of the circumstances or who they are, and loving through pain, through infatuation or brokenheartedness, and through emotions such jealousy that tend to focus attention too much on the self.
• Equanimity, patience, being a source of strength and peace.  Not running amok and flailing around like my tail is on fire.
• Devotion, being steadfast and dependable as a friend or partner, loyalty.  Not transmogrifying when water touches me.
• Focusing my energy where it is most needed.
• Balance, being gentle on the outside while holding to my inner truth, surrendering with acceptance to what is while remaining strong inside.  Kind of like a Weeble Wobbler, but no punching allowed.
• Dignity, knowing my worth, knowing that I have value, and I matter, not allowing anyone to treat me like a toy.  I am not a Barbie doll.
• Respect for others and their path.  Respect for my own path.  Respect for the freedom of others to be who they are, travel their own way, and find their own answers.  Respect for the wisdom of others’ hearts.
• Authenticity, sincerity, being honest about what I want and especially what I do not want.  No more ice cream, really.
• Modesty, humility, offering what I have without worrying about what others think.  And not being proud about it.  D’oh!
• Trust in the universe, trust in the way things unfold, trust in the love that is all around.