Remember when Beyoncé shocked the world with her big secret?
No, not the new visual album.
She introduced us to Sasha Fierce — the name of the woman she becomes when she performs.
Ladybug Girl does this too.
In her regular day to day she’s just Lulu. But in order to live more freely (and save the world), she turns into Ladybug Girl.
I get this.
The need to create a different identity in order to fully express the uncomfortable vulnerably. (Um, hello Tamina?)
But in order to fulfill the authentic self, don’t these identities need to merge?
The answer is YES!
Even Beyoncé agrees. She puts it like this:
I think Yonce is Beyonce. Mrs. Carter is Yonce. Sasha Fierce is Yonce and I’m finally at a place where, as I said earlier, I don’t have to kind of separate the two anymore. We’re all one. It’s all pieces of me and just different elements of a personality of a woman because we are complicated.
Perhaps the alter ego upkeep gets to be too much.
So then David Whyte makes perfect sense when he wrote:
The antidote to exhaustion is not rest but wholeheartedness.
What’s your secret to authentic expression?
It’s no secret. I just try to be who I am no matter who’s in the room. I’ve learned to speak out and to be silent. I’ve learned to stay and to go. I’ve learned from Dr. Seuss when he wrote, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Thanks for sharing that brilliant quote from Dr. Seuss. Slowly, I’m starting to act in that truth. And I feel grateful for comments like yours that brighten the way….
Such wise words coming from the woman in the Santa hat! (Are you still wearing it?) I agree that age is a huge help in discerning what really matters, and so are the insightful and inspiring comments (& blog posts) from friends…like you! Thanks again, ST! Xoxo
Oh, I love that David Whyte quote! As well as this entire cool piece about finding ways to be who we truly are. I’ll have to think about my “secret.” Between doing my Flashmobsolos in public places and wearing my Santa hat 6 weeks of the year, I have had my share of knee knocking:). I do think it helps to assess what really matters to us and going for that with all the gusto we can muster–something that getting older can facilitate. Thanks for the inspiration, as usual, TT. Xoxo
Yessirree, at least a few more days of the Santa Hat 2013! And thanks again for this post and the David Whyte quote: you’ve inspired a post for me–will def credit you when I publish! Rock on, Starshine. Xoxo
Can’t wait to read it xoox
TT, Something has come up on the home front. Would it be ok for me to email you for advice? Thanks! Xo
Of course! taminasturn@gmail.com
sending heartfelt good wishes for a most happy New Year with love, light,
laughter and good health always in your life, Eddie
Thank you, Eddie! I wish you the very same. And keep up the writing — your blog makes me happy!