Allowing Space

Thoughts on Imposter Syndrome

If, in every face lies a spark of god, then every sign of love, of gratitude, and of support must be cherished with respect to its divinity. It’s so easy to dismiss the praise of loved ones as rote despite mere recognition of our efforts being one of our central desires. We don’t allow ourselves to be seen through the eyes of those who love us because we know they can’t see our process, the filtering of all that ever flows through our being. We may never express our more vindictive, crude, even brutal sides but we know they exist which must nullify their affections. After all, we’re only partially the person they seem to like.

In our arrogant self-absorption, we forget that they can see the results of us trying to be ourselves. They see what we export. “Who we are” is our delineation between what we hold in and what we put out. If you choose to refrain from ugliness, then no matter your worst thought, you cannot be an ugly person. If you only speak kindness, then no matter your worst thought, you are kind.

Who are we then to belittle the perspectives of others, especially those we hold dear? If you truly love and respect another, you necessarily also respect their opinions. If you believe in them, and they believe in you, then how could you not believe in you? It is an insult to their faith, and their own divine abilty to recognize divinity.

Now, recognize that you are always a work-in-progress. You have no perfect state. Flaws still abound. None of this makes you unlovable or undeserving of appreciation. Those who give it are just as much in a state of flux and they’ve decided that you’re helping them in their journey. Allow them the space to believe that. Their gratitude is not a mere platitude or formality and you should never take it as such. Smile that by being you, you’ve added one more good thing to this life. Allow yourself the space to belief that.