"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

                                                                                          ~ Courtroom Oath Question      

Yesterday's touchstone invited you and me to be courageous and hopeful about beginning something for the first time or yet again.  

When I wrote that touchstone the day before, I thought of many possible "somethings" I might approach with this fresh start intention, such as eating more greens and organizing my office, to name two simple ones.

But when I read that touchstone, something deeper came up from the guiding voice within. Be impeccable with your word, I heard, which, as you may know, is the first of the four principles written about in the bestselling book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.*  

It takes courage to be impeccable in the way we express the truth of who we are and what we experience in our daily lives. 

In fact, it takes courage to share this here. What might readers think? my ego asks. How might they judge this?

At the same time, I want to honor what came up and act upon it. 

I trust that I'm not alone in not yet being real all the time. And yet, authenticity leads to greater health, intimacy, love, trust, happiness, and peace.

So, despite any and all fears, may we advance toward living and loving with impeccable truth. 

Consider this affirmation:
I am intending to be fully me, bravely. When I am not, I will embrace myself with compassion and begin again. 

With love, 
Charlene

PS - * The other three agreements are: Don't take anything personally, Don't make assumptions, and Always do your best.

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COURAGE: May you speak and act with confidence and use courage to follow your own path. (from The Twelve Gifts of Birth)

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(c) 2012 Charlene Costanzo 

Charlene Costanzo is the author of  The Twelve Gifts series of books:
The Twelve Gifts of Birth
The Twelve Gifts for Healing
The Twelve Gifts in Marriage
The Thirteenth Gift 
Touchstones: Stories for Living The Twelve Gifts 

July 8, 2014

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