Life can feel very polarizing at times. Often when faced with hardships, conflict or even what should be simple decision making, other’s opinions can be a huge obstacle for us.  A wise woman once told me that ‘opinions are like assholes – everyone has one and everyone thinks everyone else’s stinks.’ The stench of opinions only clouds our ability to find our own personal truths. 

Truth is different for each of us just as our perspectives are different. How we see the world is shaped by our experiences, relationships and other important influential factors…and we have each taken a different pathway to end up in this particular moment in time. There is no one right or wrong or side to be on…life just is.  Letting go of the inner and sometimes outer battle to sway others to “buy” our truths or to “buy into” someone else’s, is imperative to our well-being.

I’m not talking about ceasing to advocate for justice, education and moral integrity. I am talking about the narrow minded, judgemental, divisive, discriminatory and harmful approaches that breed negativity, fear and exclusion.  When we stand in our truth with integrity, speak our truth with clarity in a loving and compassionate way we can absolutely make a difference in this world. 

We don’t know what life will bring us, for the road turns and bends.  What I do know is that as long as I lead with love and compassion, sprinkled with a little tolerance and understanding, no matter what our asshole smells like…we can all get along.  I can have a different truth than you and still be your friend.  I can have a different truth than you and still get along, be in the same room and love you.  Our differences make us human.  Life would be boring if we all went around smelling the same way.  We need diversity to grow, to be challenged in our thinking and BEing.  We need opposition to stretch our perspectives and push us out of our comfort zones in order to find the deeper meanings in our lives.

This week we are encouraged to sit in tolerance, listen without judgment, speak from a place of compassion, and lead with integrity in congruence with our truths. If you feel called to share your stench with others, let it come from your authentic soul that breeds love and kindness. Do you. Do you with love. Do you with peace. Do you responsibly. And I will do me. And let’s all appreciate the truth of our BEing.   

XO Juli

#findingthewellinwellness