We were driving up highway 5 listening to author Dan Harris describe the downfall of Pastor Ted Haggard in his book 10% Happier.

A very conservative Christian, Ted was unabashedly anti-gay. However, as it turns out, he had been seeing a male prostitute for many years.

My friend and I discussed what tremendous psychological stress he must have been under; he suppressed, denied, and hid the truth from his family, friends, public, and even himself.  Not to mention the suffering he unleashed on others.

His life was not only out of balance, it was truly insane.

It’s an extreme example, but I wonder how many of us are suppressing, denying, and judging ourselves.

How often do we do what we think we should do, rather than act from a true expression of who we are?

True balance doesn’t come from meditation, spiritual practice, or self-help books, it comes from honoring and accepting your authentic and true self.

Meditation, spiritual practice, and self-help books will assist you in awakening to your true inner nature…then the balance comes.

Do you ever look back over your life and say to yourself, “Well if I knew myself better, I would have made better decisions or at least different ones”? I know I certainly have.

If you’re feeling like your life is out of balance, ask yourself this question, “Were am I suppressing, denying, or judging myself?”

Then, accept yourself.  Accept that you’re a little wacky, that you’re sense of humor is different, that you’re really an introvert and you’ve only been pretending to be an extrovert.

Accept and love your quirks, your uniqueness, your likes and dislikes.

Accept YOU. The reality is that there is no one else exactly like YOU in the Universe anyway, and that’s a great good thing!

Much Love

Photo Credit: Brandi Redd