I, usually, keep it close, but every once in awhile, my "Me", vanishes and I have to recycle books and movies that I have watched and read, and get back to doing the fun things in life that make me the whole of who I am. That and look at some of my old journals that remind me who the person is that I am and that like, as the business world and somepeople in general try to drive out the things that are non-conformist in a person.
There's more, but....the computer is owning too much time at present, so I'll just leave it at that for now.
+SW->

breathe

my authentic self ran away from home a long time ago. she knows where I live if she wants back in. i'm making her ask nicely though.

I don't often feel disconnected from my authentic self...if I feel disconnected then I know there is something out of faze with me going on. So I have to figure out what I'm doing that pulls me away from me.

My problem is figuring out what my self needs to take care of us.

I do the wallow thing too. Though it isn't often self pity...usually it's pain I jump right into and drown myself until I'm done and I can't stand me anymore and then I sort of spring out and up.

What does connecting with your authentic self look like to you, Angel?

I think for me it means calling a spade a spade. I have lived so much of my life under pretense -- in my relationships, my religion, at school, at work, in my family -- doing and being what I thought I had to do and be to be acceptable. The last few years of my life have been all about not putting up with bullshit anymore. Being HONEST about who I am, what I like and don't like, who I love and why, what I believe, what I DON'T believe. Sure has stirred up the pot a lot. But I watch the most precious parts of me rise to the surface in the process and then I know I'm on the right track.

"...to connect to your authentic self?"

I wash dishes. I clean the house. I make a special effort to love my loved ones. I play recorder.

These are the things that are simple, direct, and honest. These are the things that remind me of the strong and clear things in my life, namely my home, the heartbeats within, and my own rhythm.