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How important is your happiness to you? Your peace of mind? Your health? Your wellness? When you stop to answer these questions, it becomes clear that each area is very important to you. However, are you really committed to your fulfillment of these areas?

If you avoid open and honest communication with others, then you are compromising your own true existence. You were not placed on this earth to be shackled down by fear. You have the ability and the right to be yourself. Anything less than this is unacceptable, and you know it. Deep down, you know it.

This fear exhibits itself in a variety of ways. Comments like, "It might make him/her mad" or ""It may make things worse" are all too common. God does not intend for you to be afraid. In the Bible, 2Timothy 1:7 says, " You were not born in a spirit of timidity, but one of power, love, and self discipline. People who do not take risks end up becoming childish and mistrusting of themselves and others. Their world shrinks and they become comfortable with fewer and fewer situations.

You do not have to be paralyzed by your fears. You will find that people will like and love you just the way you are. Please stop taking counsel from your fears because they will lead you away from your true potential. Listen to your heart. Learn to listen to the essence of your goodness, for it is here that you will tap into the powers of greatness and fulfillment. People will respond positively to you. Adjusting yourself to be liked by everyone will only lead to failure. People sense when you are only playing a part or putting on the performance you think they may want to see. You may attribute your hesitation to shyness. If this is the case, you still must push past this sense of doubt that plagues you from ever becoming your best self.

I'll never forget the time a friend of mine stood up and cried out, " I can't believe I'm 35 years old and I'm afraid to speak my mind." Unfortunately, I have heard people of all ages say similar things.

Be yourself! It is here that you will complete yourself. Spiritually, you are challenged to fulfill this truth of honest communication. Often, it is simply a matter of your faith in God and in yourself. You can do it!

About the Author

Mark Webb is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™. Sign up for Mark Webb's "Relationship Strategies" Ezine ($100 Value). Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com