June 2016 | Page 49

that’s where; if we are lucky it will not take a lifetime, like many before us. Iron Veil SHED THE by Anna Pereira yourself with an iron veil, making yourself, or rather your heart, bulletproof? One extreme to the other. We feel guilty about our emotions so we hide how we feel. Tough girl. Tears on the inside and a “don’t mess with me” or “I can handle anything” exterior. Where does that get us? Years of not knowing who we truly are, Hiding from ourselves, running from expression that wants to come out, or acting the role of someone who we think they’d rather deal with than be our true selves and speak our truth, all disrupt the essence of who we are at the core of our being. How can we find ourselves when we don’t allow the basic emotions out? How do we live in our light if we fear the judgement of others based on their criteria? We fear if we allow someone to see the real us, we would be hurt, ridiculed, shamed, or taken advantage of. Your pain is real, girlfriend. Growing up in a man’s world has hardened you and trained you to carry any load, even if it breaks your back. Who wins when the burden falls? Who wins when your back, spirit, and heart is broken? All because we feel we cannot show our true feelings, growing up in a man’s world. You are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You are not weak, unstable, unreliable, untrustworthy, unworthy, limited, at fault, or crazy in any way by letting your emotional side out. You are being open, genuine, honest, and authentic. It’s natural and you are human. eydismedia.com 49