Who are you?
What are your fundamental values and beliefs
Who is the person behind all of the layers and masks

Beyond the beliefs that have been constructed
Past the thoughts of everyone around
And the norms of what you’ve been taught to believe

Who are you truly
What do you stand for
And what matters most

In a firm embrace of truth
You must take your stand
Beyond the conditioned beliefs
And societal expectations

Embracing your authentic self
Unveiling the layers that conceal your essence
Refusing to shrink
To diminish your presence

Rejecting the urge to flock your feathers
There’s no need to try and prove
Anything to anyone

You know your worth
So root strongly in your values
And be confident in your being

Stand your sacred ground
With unwavering strength
And profound clarity

Strip away the veils of conformity
And delve deep into your core
Discover the untamed spirit within
The unadulterated truth that resides in your soul

Question the beliefs that have been imposed
Unravel the threads that have been woven into your mind

Who are you?
What are your fundamental values and beliefs
Who is the person behind all of the layers and masks

What are the principles that guide your steps
And the values you hold so close

Allow that truth to be a lighthouse
Guiding others toward their own liberation

Stand your sacred ground
With courage as your armor
Unfurl the wings of your authenticity
And soar into the vastness of your truest self

No need to shrink
To make yourself small
No need to puff
Trying to make yourself more tall

Stand your ground
Knowing that you are rooted in truth
And armed in confidence

And as we walk this path with values held tight
May we inspire others
To embrace what is right
For in the symphony of voices that surround
Our values united
Make a resounding sound

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In a world brimming with diverse beliefs and opinions, it can often feel overwhelming to maintain a strong sense of self without compromising our values. The constant barrage of conflicting perspectives can lead us to doubt our own beliefs, causing us to either shrink and make ourselves small or to boast and brag in an attempt to prove our worth. However, there is another path—one that allows us to stand firm in our beliefs and values, without diminishing the beliefs of others. This journey towards self-empowerment and authenticity enables us to navigate the noise of differing opinions while remaining true to ourselves.

My Journey

Growing up, I never truly formed my own beliefs. I definitely went with the waves of crowds around me and struggled to understand what I believed in and why. As I grew up, this drastically impacted my overall confidence and intuition. I felt it wearing on me because my “beliefs” and “values” were shaping my decisions in life, even though they weren’t actually fundamental views that I created for and by myself. With each false decision, I felt mistrust building and building in my body. I knew there needed to be a shift so as an early adult, I started exploring ideas and values outside of what I was always conditioned to believe.

When I first started forming my own, educated beliefs I wanted to prove myself to everyone. I started sharing my opinions and honestly giving unsolicited thoughts on everything based on what I “knew”. There was a sense of pride that I finally formed a voice of my own but I went about it entirely wrong. I flocked my feathers and needed everyone to see and hear me. This, of course, led to reduced confidence. I was going about it in hopes that I would change people’s minds and beliefs. When they would go against me, I felt awful and less than.

Then, as the world started turning in 2020 (politics out of control, voices and opinions being spewed left and right, and human rights being jeopardized) I started to shrink. I didn’t want to share my thoughts because they felt silly. I didn’t think my voice mattered and I felt so incredibly small in the voices around me. I wanted to cower over and not be seen. Though I knew my views were important, I didn’t want to stand up for them because there was always someone that knew “better” and had more words to say. So, I shrunk.

This past year, I have focused my energy on finding balance. I want to stand firm in my beliefs and values without feeling like I need to shrink and be small or boast and brag. Brené Brown has a quote that says: “don’t shrink, don’t puff up, stand your sacred ground. This quote has guided me tremendously in my work on this topic. I want to have unwavering confidence in my voice and what I stand for. Throughout this year of exploration and education, I have formed some pillars of what it means to stand your ground without disrupting your values. In doing so, I have felt tremendous strides in my confidence and have helped many clients improve in this area of their lives as well. I have realized that there can be balance and there is a difference between speaking up for yourself and feeling like you need to prove yourself. I know, without a doubt, that my views matter and I am worthy to feel secure in that. Nothing outside of that matters.

I have created an in-depth guide, How to Stand Your Ground Without Disrupting Your Values, to help you navigate your beliefs and values. It’s completely free and contains tips and extensive journaling prompts for you to apply the concepts to your life! Download it here!

Understanding Your Values

Knowing and understanding your own values is a critical component of confidence and standing your ground. It’s easy, especially growing up, to follow the values and beliefs you’re taught by cultural norms, familial expectations, peer pressure, etc. But, knowing your own values and being able to defend why you believe in them will help you gain a solid foundation to express yourself. It’s not about diminishing others’ thoughts, it’s about understanding what your beliefs are.

Setting Boundaries

Boundaries play a vital role in maintaining your sense of self in a world teeming with diverse opinions. While it is essential to engage in open-minded dialogue, it is equally crucial to establish limits that protect your emotional well-being. Recognize when discussions become unproductive or disrespectful, and give yourself permission to step away if necessary. Boundaries ensure that you can engage in conversations that uplift and enlighten while safeguarding your own peace of mind.

Authentic Expression

You must be authentic when standing your ground. Express yourself the way that you desire without holding fear of judgment or rejection. Clearly communicating without feeling like you need to talk down to others is important. You can do so through the language and tone that you use. Invite other people’s thoughts and perspectives while keeping an open mind. This will open the floor for open-mindedness and the ability to allow everyone to be seen and heard.

Respectful Dialogue

Keep all communication open without being dismissive or belittling. Remember, you have arrived at your beliefs based on your experiences. Other people have gotten to their values based on their human experience. Neither is right or wrong. The only thing that matters is that it’s right for you. Approach discussions with an open mind so you can cultivate empathy and compassion towards others. This can help broaden other people’s perspectives (including your own), and aid in personal growth.

Self-Assurance

In the face of opposition or doubt, cultivating self-assurance is crucial. Remind yourself of your inherent worth and the validity of your beliefs. Seek validation from within rather than relying solely on external sources. Embrace your unique journey and experiences, as they contribute to the richness of your perspective. Self-assurance empowers you to stand tall in your sacred ground, free from the need for external validation or approval.

Stand Your Sacred Ground

Navigating the noise and diversity of opinions in today’s world can be challenging, but standing your sacred ground is possible. By understanding your values, setting boundaries, expressing yourself authentically, engaging in respectful dialogue, and cultivating self-assurance, you can confidently navigate differing perspectives while remaining true to your core beliefs. Embrace the beauty of diversity, honor the strength that comes from standing tall in your sacred ground, and create connections based on mutual respect and understanding. Your journey toward self-empowerment and authenticity begins now.