Make this about you...

As you read this, any time you see "I", think of yourself, not me...

No matter what you do, how you act, what you wear, what you say or how you say it, people will see you how they see you.

And it'll be different for everyone.

Some might love you. Others, not so much.

Your life, your energy, YOU yourself, may not be for them.

But you better make good and damn sure your life, your energy, and yourself IS for you.

The best thing you can ever do for yourself is embrace yourself fully at the deepest core of what you are. Not who you are, WHAT you are.

Not the facade, "avatar", manufactured person that comes from the many layers of shit we all get coated with over time.

I'm talking about what's there when you peel all of that bullshit off.

That pure, core energy that feeds life to your life.

You see your true essence from that place.

You know what I see when I get there in my own life?

A free spirited dude running around in nature with nothing but a pair of cut off jean shorts and a bandana climbing rocks, climbing trees, poking sticks at stuff, walking through rivers, and watching nature and learning.

A guy who either instantly sees things down to their most basic element or quickly gets there.

Not a philosopher, deep thinking, intellectual type.

Not a coach. Not a mentor. Not a leader. Not a bucket of insane wisdom I have no business having, even though I am all of those things, also.

Just a simple guy who loves as deep as deep can go.

I am pure, naive, untainted, unafraid, freely giving, child like, expansive, and powerful LOVE.

I've had many people including teachers in high school, professors in college, tell me I'm stupid.

I've been called a loser more times than I can count.

People in my own family said I was stupid for following my heart.

I don't know what those people see when they see me.

But I know it's not what I see.

I see a grown man with the heart of a child and mind that sees the core of everything automatically without effort or strain.

I know my IQ level (it was a grueling professional test) and I know its nowhere near stupid.

And I know my EQ level is even higher than my IQ.

I see a happy little boy skipping around barefoot in a grown mans body, without a shirt on, getting lost in the adventure of life, slinging love all over everything that crosses his path, dancing to a song in his head and his heart, wearing a silly shit eating grin on his face that just will not ever go away, and maybe a little dirt smudge or two on his face.

I see what I am and that visual representation works for me.

And if I didn't have that, it might be really easy to get torn and twisted up based on how everyone else sees me.

"Who am I supposed to be?"

A dangerous question that only has one correct answer.

You're supposed to be whatever lives in the deepest parts of your core. Without fear or judgment.

I have an anchor. A totem planted firmly in the center of my universe.

I am that boy, man, lover, emotionally charged and guided guy.

I want to share smiles. Not "smile for the camera" smiles. Real ones that hurt your damn face!

I want to get right down to the core of the philosophy, to the basic elements of it, and move away from the complexity, ambiguity, and distraction it is to me so we don't get lost in it.

But instead get lost in the wonder, power, and magical sensation of loving and being loved with what is right here, right now.

I want to belly laugh so hard we can't breathe.

I want to look into your eyes and feel a connection so insanely powerful we both happy cry.

I want to embrace you and hold you and transfer my strength and courage to you when you feel lost and scared.

I don't want any distractions from that.

Because that kind of connection can only be experienced with raw, real, and fully open presence.

My mind automatically goes to the most basic simple, element of everything.

Because that's where connection is most pure. Most exposed. Most authentic.

That's where connection is the strongest.

Not because I'm to stupid to have intellectual conversations or rabbit hole discussions about the mysteries of the aliens on some planet in another dimension.

Because I'm more interested in right here, right now, real time processing and experience that always leads to the powerful energy of love.

And the best person to get there, is the shirtless kid skipping around in nature with a little dirt on his face, climbing rocks and trees and walking through rivers and creeks barefoot and happy.

That's me. That's my essence. That's what I am.

And I've made that guy into a dad, a husband, a friend, a guide, a mentor, a pillar of strength and support, a north star, a ridiculously blessed pop pop, and a friend to all who strive to find that core of themselves.

And not only do I fully embrace that simple guy, I love him so so soooooo much.

It doesn't matter what they say I am, think I am, or how they see me.

I will be whatever they need me to be in their own eyes. They fill in the gaps they need filled in all on their own.

But I will never make an attempt to become the person they see in order to be accepted, admired, adored, successful, etc.

No matter what you do, how you act, what you wear, what you say or how you say it, people will see you how they see you.

And it does matter to a certain degree. We all share the same resources and space to a certain extent.

But what always matters most, is how you see you.

And even more than that, is how much you fully embrace who and what you see.

When's the last time you looked past all the layers of shit plastered over your core and caught a glimpse of the real and raw you?

If it's been a minute, maybe take a peeksy today.

I'm pretty sure you'll crack a smile and maybe, fall head over heels in love.

In my now 54 years on this planet, and the intense connections I've been fortunate to have, I've met some real assholes.

But...

When you peel away the layer of insecurity, pull back the curtain that makes them feel insignificant, shatter the shell of self rejection, there is ALWAYS a beautiful, warm, caring, loving, fun, happy, uniquely brilliant, person under that asshole costume.

That energy at the core is nothing but good no matter how you define good.

You can't not fall in love with it.

And the fastest way to get there with others is to get there with yourself first.

What are you?

This isn't about adding anything. It's not about creating an identity.

It's about reclaiming your natural core essence.

Start cracking crusty old costumes, silly avatars, and labels and shells that hide and trap your core essence.

Get there, fully embrace it, and you can become whoever you want to become while fully loving yourself in the process...

Highest Energy Wins!

Mike