The title of today’s blog is a quote from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 
“To thine own self be true”

What is truth or what is true? Truth is defined as: sincerity in action, character and utterance. So truth is evident in what I do, who I am and what I say. They are synonymous. John 8:32 NKJV “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” So if you are not true with yourself and are living a lie you are in bondage.

Simply put, we must be truthful with ourselves before we can be truthful with anyone else.  I must come to grips with my own thoughts, behavior, words, as well as actions before I can point the finger at someone else. I must look in the mirror and see and examine myself. I must be willing to deal with the good, the bad and the ugly of self.

Self evaluation is key when it comes to growth, progression, elevation and maturity in one’s life. The Apostle Paul states in I Corintians 13:11….”When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Paul was conscious of his childish behavior and thoughts and he recognized when he matured and grew up and began to think differently, and speak differently. Life’s experiences teach us lessons in growth if we are willing to learn and change. I hear people say quite often “age ain’t nothing but a number”. Come to find out its true because I have witnessed adults in their 40’s act like children with no morals and standards. Just downright careless and selfish in their thinking. I have witnessed young adults in their early 20’s carry themselves more respectfully and more mature than people twice their age. I ask myself why is this so? I came to the conclusion that behavior is learned, environment, upbringing all play a factor in one’s character but most importantly everyone has the ability and the right to choose. We all know right from wrong, the truth, from a lie. We know if what we are doing will affect or hurt someone else. So why do it? In the society we live in now, I do not speak for all but I have noticed an increase of selfishness and not enough selflessness.

I have done some self evaluating over the past week. I actually learned to evaluate myself and my motives for why I do what I do many years ago. When I would have a disagreement with someone I would ask myself, what part did I play in escalating the matter, what could I have done differently, what do I need to do to be the bigger person and make it right. In the times that I was unhappy, I asked myself how did I contribute to my unhappiness? You see I realized that I played a huge part in the things that made me happy and the things that made me unhappy. I realized that I would put others before myself, which is not wrong but there were times where I was very loyal to people who were not loyal to me. I put others before myself, that if the shoe was on the other foot they would not do the same for me. I realized it was okay to be selfish sometimes, to protect myself from the users, manipulators, deceivers and the downright lazy. I started doing what in my heart I wanted to do. I compromised when I knew for myself it was the right thing to do. I have never been a follower. I’ve always done what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. But there was a point in my life where I did not have balance and I have found balance again.

Situations, circumstances, trials and tribulations can force you into a place where you have to look in the mirror. It’s all about the lesson that needs to be learned. When I find myself in a trial I now ask myself, “Lord, what am I to learn from this?” The trial I am currently in now is teaching me more humility and patience. I am also learning that it is the most unlikely people who will have your back and support you in your time of need. I realized how prideful and stubborn I can be. I do everything myself. I have trouble relinquishing control. I have the “I ain’t depending on no one” attitude. That’s all I’ve known since I left my mother’s home at 18. I’ve done it myself, by myself and I have carried my own load. Now I know that I have to learn to let go sometimes, relax and let someone else help me. I need to learn this for the next chapter in my life…for ministry, for increase in business and finances and for my Prince Charming when he comes along.

So I encourage you to take inventory, look in the mirror and don’t ignore what you see. Embrace the truth about you and start working on your foundation brick by brick. It all takes time but we have to start somewhere. Start with the Word. Read the bible. It will be a mirror and a measure of who we are and who we need to be. Forgive and let go of past hurt, and past mistakes. It will only keep you from being the King or Queen God called you to be.

Coming into the knowledge of the truth starts with our way of thinking. Philippians 4:8 gives us a way, a path to accessing truth: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

I leave you with this simple prayer:

Lord, help me too see the truth concerning myself and have the courage to change the way I think and act. To become a better me and in the end bring glory to you. In Jesus name Amen.

Sicily has spoken!