A Blissful Life 3/25/25: The Power Of Realness

If you ask me, there is no freer feeling than being unapologetically yourself throughout all facets of life. It’s exhausting to change costumes every time you change company, or to cover up parts of yourself because of insecurities, ashamement, or any other shape fear might take. In reflecting on my own journey around this, I’ve come to the conclusion that living honestly and authentically leads to deep feelings of wholeness and fulfillment.

When you think about why you might lie to yourself or to another, a lot can pop into your head. Maybe you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, or you’re afraid of the changes that might have to happen if you own what’s true. Maybe you’re fearful of losing the other person, or not being liked or admired by them. Whatever your reasoning may be, when you break it down all lies are born from fear.

In her book, ‘The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice’, Deborah Adele writes, “Truth rarely seems to ask the easier choice of us.” Telling the truth is seldom an easy thing to do, however, it is brave, noble and fierce. Being honest has the power to right wrongs, end sorrows, and ultimately set us free.

In order to be honest with others, we must first be honest with ourselves. Doing this involves creating space and stillness so that the mind can slow down and move away from its primitive nature to react impulsively based on emotion and fear. Meditation is a great tool to help us see the bigger picture and reconnect with our morals and values. Even short pauses throughout the day will make you more aware of your thoughts and actions, helping you to notice which ones are unaligned and providing you the opportunity to create a positive change. Meditation also stabilizes our nervous system, increasing the bandwidth of what we can handle and giving us a greater ability to show up as ourselves in any situation– even if it feels a bit uncomfortable.

Whether we are talking about your relationship with yourself or another, honesty is the foundation of all solid bonds. Being honest builds trust and allows for deeper, more meaningful connections. I will always respect someone who is honest with me, even if their truth hurts my feelings.

It is crucial to recognize two things as we contemplate this theme of honesty. First, truth is fluid. As we change throughout our lives, so does our truth. Think about it: What was true for you as a toddler is very different from what is true for you now. For this reason, it is important that we keep open minds and continuously update our beliefs, values, and views in order to stay current with ourselves and our surroundings. Second, truth is non-violent and should never be used as a weapon. While your truth may go against someone else’s truth, or let someone down, you can always deliver it from a place of love.

How are you with truthfulness? Are there parts of yourself you try not to see? Do you act differently depending who is in the room with you? Do you prioritize being nice over being real? Do you lie to loved ones out of fear of losing them? As you reflect, think about why you might do these things. What are you so afraid of? What might your life look like if you were willing to contact truthfulness in every moment? What if you spoke and acted in such integrity that you never had to go back and apologize?

I invite you to join us for classes and workshops at Ocean Bliss Yoga. Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net. Call or text me with any questions at 917-318-1168.

This article was inspired by Deborah Adele’s book, ‘The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice’ and discussion with Ocean Bliss Yoga’s yoga teachers in-training.