Is it true? Just three little words but what a difference they can make. They should go on the list of phrases that rock your world.
I recently began the process of updating a website. My site was only two years old but it wasn’t feeling like a fit anymore. The problem was that I didn’t know what was a fit. What did I want to say enough to people that I would create a website for it? That was turning into a really big and important question for me. In fact it was stopping me in my tracks.
My original website was created around the theme of desiring, dreaming and finally daring. It was a process that I had been using in my own life for several years and I felt very strongly that it was both powerful and applicable to most every situation. But as I approached the blank canvas of a new website I wasn’t so sure anymore. Is that what I want to say? Is it still true? Does it still have juice? Is there something more relevant that I want to communicate?
Enter those three little words from the Work by Byron Katie designed to help you question your thoughts and beliefs. Is it true? They really do sound innocuous, maybe even trite. Trust me, they are not. Byron Katie uses the question, “Is it true?” in conjunction with a series of other questions to help us look at our beliefs. We can see what arguing with reality produces in our lives. It is a great and powerful process. To do that process justice would take more than this blog is setting out to do. But if you are interested you can go to her website.
But even the simple question, “Is it true?” began to clarify my thinking and values. Do I still believe that desire is a huge and maybe the only really productive motivator? Is it true? Do I still believe that our dreams and deep wants are a way to know ourselves and who we are in the world? Is it true? Do desires and dreams point us toward our purpose? Is it true? Do they give us the direction and motivation to take action? Is it true? Do they help us pick ourselves up when we fall or get knocked down? Is it true? Can they help us transform ourselves and our lives? Is it true?
I began to work through each question, fear, doubt, belief, etc. that showed up for me. Is it true? Each time I asked and listened for my answer I learned more about who I was, what I believed, what I wanted to do, and my purpose. It doesn’t always happen easily or quickly, but it does happen. One day you realize you’ve hit bedrock, at least for now. You know. It is true. This is my truth!
It took me many months. Desire + Dream + Dare == Magic. Rocket fuel. They are alchemy that transforms you. That is my truth.
As I read your thoughts about “desire + dream + dare = magic” I began to think of the ones I chose as my “rocket fuel”! (By the way, I love your choice of descriptors! Creates clear images and ideas.) The three I came up with are “explore, experience and engage”. Not sure if I ever considered these as values until giving thought to the fact that these three little words have been at the core of just about everything in my life – my faith, my goals, my choices… And then I began “exploring” in my mind, haha! I wonder how much of our rocket fuel is personality driven? I would not be here today if it weren’t for my curiosity and “desire” to know and understand myself, others and what makes us tick. As long as I have known you the desire to dream and dare has been a part of who you are. And you have created safe places for others to dream and dare to see those dreams come true.
So, this morning, the bottom line for me is that being in an authentic relationship requires that I know myself: what I have to give and what I need. To do this I need others in my life who are a few steps ahead of me and/or are searching for truth and honesty about themselves as well. I love that we are all unique with our own set of values that fuel our existence. This uniqueness not only provides for us individually, but also is there as a resource for others. So, not only is my uniqueness specifically designed as a guide for my life, but also to provide sustenance for others in their lives. Ingenious! Onward and upward as we all continue the quest to identify our desires, dream of the possibilities and dare to take the path to fruition. The world is full of explorers. May our paths cross. 🙂