You Can Be, Do, or Have Anything

If you keep hitting the same walls in your life: the same financial struggles, the same relationship patterns, the same self-sabotage just as success shows up - there's a reason.

From childhood, we absorb thousands of messages about who we should be and what we should or shouldn't do.

Our caregivers, teachers, and others influence our perception of ourselves, wealth, professions, and relationships. What you heard and saw directly influences how you see these parts of life - before you have an opportunity to create your own perceptions.

These messages become invisible beliefs that now run your life from behind the scenes.

The good news? Once you become aware and see the programming, you can rewrite it. 

Here's how to begin reclaiming your authentic self.

Step One: Notice the Patterns

Your repetitive challenges are actually gifts. They show you exactly where unconscious programming is controlling your choices and actions.

Do you consistently undersell yourself financially? That's a clue.

Do your relationships follow the same patterns of disappointment? That's revealing something.

Does success feel uncomfortable or unattainable? Pay attention.

Start tracking these patterns without judgment. Write them down.

Step Two: Question the Voice

The inner voice questioning why you think you can do something. Or playing a version on repeat that you're not worthy, that wanting more is selfish - or whatever the voice is saying. Whose voice is it really, and where did it come from?

Most of our limiting beliefs aren't ours at all. They're handed down from parents, teachers, culture, and early experiences.

I got plenty of limiting messages about the world and myself growing up. I've done a bunch of inner work to unravel what was mine and what wasn't. Only after painful experiences in many cases.

I was aware of some things said to me that I realized was not my perception of myself. It was that person's inner self talk being directed toward me.

Fortunately, I learned early on how to turn lemons into lemonade; and developed a 'let me show you' attitude about myself professionally.

When you catch a self limiting thought, pause and ask: Is this actually true, or is this something I picked up from someone else?

Getting Paid Your Worth: I've seen team members think they can't ask a much higher dollar amount for a new role. I've encouraged employees to leverage their experience and the company's desire for them to take a new role. They came back to me pleasantly surprised when they got the significantly higher salary and the move money.

I've seen entrepreneurs say they couldn't charge premium prices for their services because "that would be greedy." When you ask where that belief came from, it stems from early comments they heard about the character of successful people.

The belief wasn't even theirs. But they were unconsciously living out past comments that stemmed from a person they looked up to and their discomfort with abundance. Seeing this allowed them to make different choices and show up differently in their business.

Step Three: Reconnect with Your Body's Wisdom

Your authentic self speaks through your body, not your conditioned mind.

That sinking feeling when you say yes but mean no? That's your truth trying to break through.

The excitement that lights you up even when something seems "impractical"? That's your authentic self making itself known.

Start checking in with your body before making decisions. Does this feel expansive or limiting? Energizing or draining? Light or heavy?

Your body knows the difference between honest choices and conditioned responses. It always has.

Step Four: Make One Authentic Choice

You don't need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start with one small choice that honors your authentic self instead of the conditioning you picked up along the way.

Say no to something that drains you. Speak up about what you really think. Ask for what you're worth. Share something real instead of what you think someone 'wants' to hear.

Yes, it will feel uncomfortable.

Your nervous system is wired to keep you safe within familiar patterns, even when those patterns hurt you.

Step Five: Expect Resistance But Be True to Yourself Anyway

When you start living authentically, two things will happen:

• First, your old conditioning will fight back with fear, doubt, and every reason why you should stay small.

• Second, some people around you will resist your transformation. They were comfortable with you playing small.

This resistance isn't a sign you're doing something wrong, it's confirmation you're doing something right. Keep going.

The people who truly matter will adjust or reveal themselves. And your own resistance will dissolve over time, as you prove to yourself that authenticity feels better than the old conditioning ever could.

Step Six: Integrate the Hidden Parts of You

Your authentic self includes parts you've been taught to reject: your point of view, your desires, your vulnerability, and your ambition.

These aren't flaws to eliminate; they're powers you've locked away. Your point of view might become passionate advocacy. The suppressed vulnerability might become a genuine connection. Your blocked ambition might become purposeful success.

Explore and learn to accept all parts of yourself. Not the version you were taught to present, but the whole, complex, beautifully imperfect human you actually are.

The Life Waiting for You

You stop underselling yourself because you finally know your worth. Your relationships deepen because they're based on truth rather than performance. Opportunities appear because you're no longer unconsciously blocking them. The exhaustion lifts because you're not spending energy being someone you're not.

Your authentic self isn't something you need to create or achieve. It's who you've always been beneath the layers of programming. It's been there waiting for you to remember, to wake up, to come home.

If you've read this far, it's time to show up as the person you were born to be.

Until next time,

LuRae

Be You and Be Free