Freedom is a powerful word, isn’t it? Like many words, it means different things to different people. As I searched for a definition of freedom, I found: The condition of being free of restraints, especially the ability to act without control or interference by another or by circumstance. When we think about the common uses of the word freedom, we think of freedom from oppression, freedom from tyranny, freedom from prison, freedom from war, financial freedom, freedom from sickness and the freedom to choose. However, I think one freedom trumps all of these, and is not reliant on any of them. That freedom lies underneath the mask you and I are wearing.

I was inspired beyond belief by a client and friend of mine, Rosina, who had the courage to join Shaun Hart and I on this week’s podcast called, Living in the third dimension. Trust me, this is a podcast worth listening to, and not because of me. I watched Rosina transform before my very eyes as she openly talked about her fears, doubts, and lack of self-worth. Shaun helped her realise that it was this vulnerability and humility that was her strength and her purpose, not the pretence or persona she was putting on to seem okay to people around her.

In fact, Shaun said that true freedom is only available in the third dimension, and that is emotional and spiritual freedom, and has nothing to do with where you live, the political situation in your country, whether you are being held captive or your financial position. True freedom comes from being authentically and unapologetically you. It comes when you finally decide that you are enough just as you are, and you can drop the mask you are wearing that is portraying you to be someone you are not.

I can tell you, from personal experience, wearing a mask is exhausting and stressful. Being unapologetically who you are is the most freeing thing you can do. I have spoken ad-nauseum about my insecurities and my desire to be seen as anyone except who I was. I was a scared for people to know the real me because I didn’t feel I stacked up and was sure I would not be loved if people knew the truth. Well, what I believed was the truth anyway. I believed the truth was that I was not good enough to be loved, accepted, or admired as I was. It was a lie I was telling myself, and so I kept the mask on until I realised, I was being held captive by my own wrong thinking.

I was reading a book, which I think I have spoken about before, which proclaimed in big, bold words that when I wear a mask, it is the mask that gets loved, not me. No wonder, whilst wearing the mask, I never felt any better about myself. No wonder I was always stressed that people would discover the truth. No wonder I was so exhausted. I decided at that moment to drop the mask and reveal myself, warts, and all. The first person I needed to reveal myself to was me. I needed to learn to understand, accept, forgive, and love myself. I realised that I was okay, and maybe, just maybe I was good enough just who I was. I immediately felt lighter.

Then I needed to reveal myself to the people who I was so scared would reject me if they knew my warts, vulnerabilities, and insecurities. Guess what? I started building stronger and deeper relationships. I started inspiring and empowering people. Most importantly, I started feeling a freedom that had eluded me my entire life up until that point. I now know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God loves me, I love me and the people who care the most love me. I now know beyond any shadow of a doubt that it is this vulnerability, and my desire to help others become free from their self-imposed prison which is my purpose and mission on this planet. I am free, because I dropped the mask to show myself, as gloriously flawed and imperfect as I am.

I hope this blog has moved you in a direction that will also inspire you to drop your mask and reveal your beauty to the world. You are beautiful and your real rawness is exactly what the world needs. Please don’t waste any more of your life hiding or feeling that you are not good enough just as you are. You are a child of God, and therefore are already amazing. Freedom is waiting for you and will be yours the moment you remove the mask to reveal your wonderful self to the world.