In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Polonius gave some advice to his son Laertes befor leaving for France. He said,

“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

I believe this is a true statement. It says many things to me. Above all, it says that each of us has an inner truth. It is an inner light that is always available. Call it consciousness. Call it mind. Call it heart. It is always available, and each of us is an individualized expression of this truth. We might turn away from it and look for approval and satisfaction from the outside or other people, but until we get in touch with this inner self and live it, we will be living someone else’s idea of us. Steve Jobs wrote, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition.”

My questions for myself and each of us is: Do we know our inner truth? Do we follow our intuition? Are we in touch with being true to ourselves, living in integrity and aligned with our inner values? Do we even know what are values are? These are questions worth exploring and finding the answers to. These times are not for the weak in heart. They times are asking us to come forth, speak out and to be in action, but not just for action’s sake or to jabber on. These times are for asking ourselves some really tough questions, giving ourselves real answers and for standing up for what we know to be true.

I do believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and many more principles based in love and compassion. The question is do I go beyond the words and live it in my own life. In the Science of Mind, we know there is one power, a unity that expresses as multiplicity. We are each an individualized expression of Divinity. We are equal in that we all come with the same Power – no one has any less or any more. It’s a matter of use and embodiment. We say we believe in inclusion. No one is left behind or cast out. There is room for differing opinions shared in compassion and understanding. However, this does not mean that it is okay to have an opinion that is harmful to others or hateful or judgmental. Have I locked anyone out of my heart today? These words come from Edwene Gaines. It’s a good question to ask ourselves every night before we sleep.

There is much chaos right now. Everything seems to be breaking down. Many of us do not know where to turn or what to do. I think Howard Thurman said it best: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Well, just be careful when you say it’s okay to do what makes you come alive unless it is alignment with love and compassion.” What makes you come alive?

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author Where is My Red Dress?, Co-Founding Spiritual Director, CSL Kaua`i