“The world is what you think it is.” – Serge Kahili King

Somewhere along the line, we all decide on our truth. Very early on, we begin to create a long list of the rules that we play by, and lots of people play by those same rules for the rest of their lives. You can tell when someone is playing by their rules when they say things like, “I can’t…” or “I am…” or “I don’t…” Most of our rules were either made up as a way of keeping us safe when we were small, or are simply things that we believe about ourselves because the world has never given us cause to question our belief.

But what if the things that we believe to be true aren’t true anymore?

I have begun to pay attention to my own rules. I’ve been listening to myself when I speak, and have been surprised at the number of Truths with a capital T that have been coming out of my mouth. I hadn’t realized before how many rules I currently play by. But now I am going to write my own rule book. One-by-one I am going to question the rules I have been playing with, and I am going to choose which ones make it into the new edition.

(Please note: This list comes from me writing down the things that I have heard myself say about myself more than once over a period of a few weeks. I made myself not edit them, even if they made me uncomfortable. Please understand that while this is my list, I know that some things will strike a chord with you. If you feel triggered, I encourage you to make your own list. This is in no way finished, I’ll be adding to it as more Truths show themselves, and linking to the posts where I discuss each one.)

The List

• My name is Meghan
• I am Canadian
• I am too fat to… (I finish this in many ways.)
• I can’t cook
• I love to read
• I don’t like fish
• I am a Celiac (or Coeliac depending on where you live!)
• I am a Scorpio
• I am a worrier
• I believe things happen for a reason
• I am lazy
• I am special
• I am a mess
• I won’t watch violent movies
• I love to write
• I am addicted to books
• I don’t like to exercise
• I love trees
• I am tired (this is included because I say it a lot!)
• I love things that sparkle
• I have nothing to wear (again, I say it a lot!)
• I hate bananas
• I’m nervous
• I am too old for this (again, I say it a ridiculous amount.)
• I am afraid of the dark
• I am a bad friend
• I am magic
• I hate having my picture taken
• I am tough (this is often followed by a roar!)
• There is something wrong with me.
• I am broke/ I don’t have enough money…
• I’m bad with money
• I’m blonde
• I love you (happily, I say this a lot, too!)