How To Be Yourself: The True State of Freedom
Many people say 'just be yourself' or 'be the best version of yourself'. But what does that actually mean? And how do you actually do that?
There are many people who mistaken a hedonistic life of sex and drugs as being 'free' and 'being yourself'. But you're not really being free, your actions are being controlled by the drugs and sex, you don't have any self-control. Freedom is not about doing what you like, it's about doing what you are supposed to do.
I think your true self is the best version of yourself, and your best self is free from any fear or desire. It's in our innate nature to do good, to love, to be spontaneous, to be free. We all want that for ourselves and other people.
What ruins us is excessive desires and addictions: whether it be for sex, money, drugs, the Internet. What ruins us is fear, whether towards hate, not satisfying others, not being good enough, being arrested, etc.
To truly be yourself, you have to be free from all of that. Incorporating positive habits, like meditation, prayer, exercise and self-love definitely helps. Just like in Hinduism, the self is buried beneath desires, removing desire is like shoveling away dirt to unearth treasure.
Once you are truly free, a likable and unique personality organically emerges. The spirit of God is within all of us, and now that it stops being clouded by desire, you will finally do God's work. You will start acting and making the best decisions in your life because it is not fear, but your inner goodness and God guiding you. You will try less, and think less, and will just be. Does a dog try to bark? Does a chicken try to crow? All the big and important decisions in your life will feel effortless, all challenges becomes a joy to overcome. You will be at one with the world. No matter what happens, you will be at peace.