"Speak your truth!", commanded The Internet.

For a while I needed social media to connect with people and spaces where I could discuss the mysteries of the divine (which encompasses all topics of life) with less criticism than my immediate and physical space could provide at the time. I was learning a lot, writing a lot, and seemed to have much to say. For those that know me, it may seem like I"m quieter, but that is far from the truth. 

I have realized what speaking your truth means and it's among many of the reasons I quit Facebook.

While we can agree that justice is a pretty universal desire, virtue signaling on command (oops, when a situation "arises") is not speaking one's truth. There is a difference between expression and being prompted to provide opinion on a controversial topic. One may be controversial by nature, while the other is merely so within specific context.

Events and situations arise and "voices need to be heard." Astrology can teach us that events and situations always arise and most likely, voices always need to be heard (cycles). If you think NOW is the time to be heard, chances are that voices have been too silent in critical moments for too long (I think we can agree that it's true in many cases). If they have been silent in critical moments, what makes them any more effective during an event than that moment?
 

THIS is what a critical moment looks like:

Let's say you're an avid cyclist. Your passion fuels your physical health and stamina, granted you a community and gifted you with lifelong relationships, and you are in a conversation with someone who cycles at the gym and constantly complains about it. They want the body but loathe and disdain the activity. What do you say to them? Are they a stranger or someone you know?

Maybe you know their religious beliefs so you bring up your faith to validate the path of your life and how cycling brings you spiritual wholeness. Perhaps you overcame great physical obstacles due to an accident or a disease or years of wrestling with self image. Maybe your financial situation was in the way but your desire to win and overcome allowed you to find ways where some would see none.

Which of those reasons has ever not been true and inspiring? Maybe if you said the right thing, they'd change their tune or attitude, or at least stop whining, right? What other scenarios can you apply this to?

All those things could be true, but they are only a part of your truth. The truth is that regardless of what got you where you are, you do what you're doing because of love. Your truth is the joy you receive from preparing your body. From that first good stretch to intricate and intentional meal planning. Your truth is your held breath before the flag is waved at the start. It's your perseverance and desire to push your own limits as your muscles strain and reach with the strength of your heart towards the goal. To beat your own record. To pedal because your legs are moving and motion always feels so good. Your truth is your satisfaction no matter what place you took, whether it was 1st, 15th, or 56th. You get to see the sunrise. You get to rest knowing you have lived your life the way you know that you know you are meant to.

THAT'S your truth.

You are a perfect (and yes, what we perceive as "imperfect") expression of the divine. 

You are Art.

Art speaks volumes where the mind can only handle a few well phrased paragraphs.

Perhaps this person bears witness to your ignition as you describe what you love about cycling. When you're on fire about whatever it is about life that you are on fire about, you can be sure that you are shining. Your light will expose their block, which is usually themselves. They might scoff, because they were inviting you to a pity party and all you did was talk about yourself. In which case, let them go. They'd rather the company of their own shadows and this is not your territory in which to shine your brightest. And that's okay. Stay in love. But if is IS your territory to shine in, by divine timing (which is not always for you to know), than your fire just lit the torch on a relay run. Love is a contagious frequency and perhaps their eyes see a light they never saw before. Even if the activity is not for them, they feel that spark. Something is triggered and they'll find it. They'll find it because for a moment they knew what it was like to burn brightly.

THAT is speaking your truth. One never knows what the person in front of them has gone through, is going through, or what they have yet to encounter. To make assumptions based on current events does not honor the individual or the unique path before you. It does not honor your truth. You don't know which lens someone will need to see through to get out of their rut. You can only be sure that love is the light that brings breakthroughs and causes seeds to sprout and grow. I have encountered many paths and tell you this from my own trial and error. Save your opinions for the moments of higher thinking, when they are needed and valued and most powerful in the right time. Release any desire to change someone. Change will happen. Sometimes you plant, sometimes you water, and sometimes you shine and be present. Have faith.

Virtual signaling is not true support. True support can only come in critical moments which most often occur right under your nose. Sure, they can happen during an online conversation. But they are mostly going to happen during your life off screen. 

When you're the Moon, not the Sun.








 

*Banner art by F3lc4t on Instagram

**I cannot stress enough the importance of timing. Knowledge and Intellect are for your augmentation. Augmenting others must be done with discernment or it will be ineffective. You can know all that you can for a time. Intelligence recognizes impermanence of "facts". The truth is always true; it's understanding that deepens. You may be a speaker, which means discernment is even more vital. All the instruments play at once. What is noise and what is music?