Speaking Forbidden Things

I’m going to be honest with you. Right now, I’m scared of going further in this post. I know where I want it to end up, but I can’t even fully form the thought in my head. So let’s see how this goes.

Two years ago I wrote a post on my WordPress.com blog (another one like this one) that proclaimed “I am an Artist.” That was a HUGE step for me!

You see, I’d taken the steps from saying, “I take pictures” through “I am a photographer” into “I am an Artist.” The thought blows my mind, still. And it’s hard for me to say without getting butterflies in my stomach. Now I’m taking another step.

I’m going to go from, “I am a student” through “I am a Shaman” into “I am an Expert.” Don’t worry, though – I’m stopping LONG before I reach “I am a Master!” (That’s for later!)

Whew! It was hard just to type that much.

But let me tell you something. These kinds of statements are really important for speaking your truth.

We spend a lot of time focusing on all the things that we aren’t. So much so, in fact, that it has become taboo for us to say what we are. In fact, if we even THINK of the things we are, we are being arrogant or full of ourselves – we think too much of ourselves and we probably need to be put in our place. The only thing we can admit to being are things that, by a strict read of the data, we are: mothers, sisters, daughters, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, brunette, short, or tall.

Subjective titles, such as “Expert” (or “Master!”) are something that is  supposed to be bestowed upon us. They are something that other people say about us and not something we say about ourselves. And if we hear someone say it, we’re supposed to deny it out of modesty.

But if you never tell people what you are, then how are they ever going to know? How can you step up, be in your power, and help the world if you cannot even admit to the things you are capable of? …if you cannot name the things you’ve achieved?

So, I’m going to step up and let you know that I’m an Expert in my field – the paranormal, new age, and Metaphysical. {sweating palms, itchy fingers, butterflies firmly in stomach}

I’m NOT going to qualify it or try to prove it by saying how many years I’ve been doing this. I’m not going to tell you all the authors I’ve read, the people I’ve studied with, the philosophies I’ve explored or the classes that I’ve taken. I’m just going to let it sit there.

And maybe later, I’ll go ahead and conquer “I am beautiful,” “I am worthy,” and “I am special.” But for now I’m going to start with “I am an Expert,” and let that sink into my brain.

Yeah.

I am an Expert.

Now the challenge:  it’s your turn. What are you?