Is it impossible to tell the whole truth when writing about yourself? I feel like there is always an element of truth that you unintentionally and intentionally hide from others and even yourself. The space between the period and the next word can sometimes stretch far. Can we truly see ourselves clearly through our own biased eyes? When we begin to think about ourselves, how impartial are we truly with ourselves? What truths are we withholding and overlooking?

To be open is to be vulnerable. To be vulnerable is, to be honest. To be honest, is to live in your absolute Truth.

I started living in my Truth about five months ago. I have always walked in my Truth but living in it is something that I struggled with. Not because I didn’t know who I was but because I knew my Truth would ruffle some feathers with some people and I honestly didn’t want the drama. It wasn’t until the feeling of purging and submerging became so loud that I started to listen to my Spirit.

I could no longer put myself in positions that didn’t serve me or lift me. I could no longer bite my tongue or expand my boundaries on the account of others. Only when I began to shut the world off did I sit and settle more and more comfortable in my Truth. By doing so, I began to learn so much about myself, my peace, my happiness, and my purpose. Things started to become clearer and I became happier, more at peace with who I was becoming, more at peace with the art of letting go and saying no.

My season of transition has been equally eye-opening and heartbreaking. It was full of storms but sitting in the storm I received so much appreciation and enlightenment that this next chapter in my life is the awakening. Stepping into my Truth, I want to share some things with my future self…

Dear Dreux of the Awakening,

I want to start off by saying how proud of you I am. You have been through so many storms and have used those waters to cleanse and replenish everything depleted from you. You are relentless and determined not only to survive but to do it on your own terms. You have always moved to the rhythm of your own band but often muted the fanfare to accommodate others. Those days are over. I want you to live loudly in everything you do. You were given the voice of the gospel and cannot properly fulfill your purpose by selling your Truths short to appease others. You aren’t a people pleaser. You give people purpose by living in your absolute Truth. You’ve torn yourself down and built yourself into who you see yourself as. That is a HUGE accomplishment!

Remember your favorite quote “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde. That is your Truth. As many people mapped out your life for you, your beliefs for you, your Truth, you never allowed it to become your reality. No matter how much you were beaten and battered, you always came out on top. You took those lessons and applied what you learned from them to be who you are today. To look in the mirror and know that who you created is exactly who you were born to be. You are nothing short of amazing and I love you.

Remember that. Tell yourself that daily. Give yourself some gratitude with all that grace you give. You deserve all the sunflowers that will bloom from this day forth. You’ve earned it. Bask in your glory every chance you get.

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good.” -Nina Simone

The rise of a new era.