External World Mirrors Internal Reality

In my 20s, I briefly considered joining the military.

I’ve always been drawn to a life of adventure and purpose. But when I shared this with my friend Todd, he promptly reminded me, "Tiffany, you don’t like being told what to do." 

And that door closed instantly.

I'm not anti-authority. 

I just like the freedom to make choices. I like being able to breathe and expand however I want to, whenever I want to. 

My independent streak may stem from my strict upbringing or fiery Aries nature. Whatever the root, the mere thought of being controlled or confined sends shivers down my spine. 

Perhaps you can relate?

Not surprisingly, this longing for autonomy spills into my relationships. 

Whether it's in dating, professional collaborations, or family dynamics, I'm constantly navigating the delicate dance of expressing my individuality while honoring others in partnership.

I'll be honest, I have much to learn. However, this spiritual principle has helped immensely:

The external world mirrors our inner selves. 

Our inner world shapes our perception of reality; therefore, what we see, encounter, and attract in the external world often mirrors our internal state.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: 

My internal fears, doubts, and limitations shape how I perceive the world. 

When I lack self-worth, everything around me feels suffocating. In moments of insecurity, it seems everyone is trying to control me. It's challenging because I project onto others what I fear within myself. When I feel limited, I assume others are limited too. 

The internal struggles I grapple with, manifest in my external reality. 

This is an uncomfortable pill to swallow. No one wants to face how they might unwittingly contribute to negative dynamics.

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But here's the empowering part: 

Within me lies the equal capacity to transcend these limitations.

When I cultivate a sense of inner security, attempts to control me lose their power.

By confidently embracing my inner authority, I worry less about feeling stifled. My self-worth doesn’t need to be contingent on circumstances - it's built from the inside. And, when my sense of worth does fluctuate, it’s a clear sign that it likely wasn't rooted in authenticity. Recognizing this propels me to delve deeper into alignment with my True Self.

By embracing this principle, I've discovered newfound spaciousness in my life. 

I’ve become much less reactive to others' attempts to control me.

Instead, of feeling frustrated I approach their actions with compassion, understanding their behavior reflects their internal world. So, when yet another family member asks me when I’m going to get married, I have the freedom to choose how I respond. I feel less compelled to assert my independence forcefully; instead, I navigate the world from a place of deep inner knowing of myself and my path.

***

Embracing these truths creates a profound shift in perception. 

It requires that I take full responsibility for creating my own reality. It's about embracing true agency, not merely asserting it for the sake of rebellion. So if you're someone who, like me, craves autonomy, I invite you to slow down. 

True agency lies not in defying authority, but in shifting our internal world to experience freedom regardless of circumstance.