As a young girl, then a teenager (oy), then a young adult, I would never in one million years have considered myself a “rebel.”

I have excellent manners, listen to instructions, pay my bills on time, do my chores, and do all the Right Things you are meant to do as a well-functioning member of society (and a peaceful household). 

I listened to my parents and my teachers. I followed their advice. And then I listened to my bosses and conductors. I did what was required in order to satisfy (and exceed) the duties of my job.

It wasn’t until I met some kind of externally-imposed restrictions on my creative self-expression that I began to notice there were cracks in this system.

Because don’t ever – ever – tell me what I can and can’t do with my life and art.

This is what I define as a Sacred Rebel: a person who values their authentic personal expression enough to, well, stake their life on it. 

I remember well the moments in my life when I made creative choices based on well-meaning (or outright unhelpful) advice from others. There were two results: total failure and personal misery.

You are a Sacred Rebel if you have ever experienced a rift between A Situation and your personal creative values, and chose to honor yourself rather than compromise those values.

You made a choice to honor your own divinity.

But being a Sacred Rebel can be totally uncomfortable. It doesn’t come with life rules! Your choices will test you. And you run the risk of bumping up against the fear of what “other people might think” all the goddamn time.

If you think about it, this makes total sense. You have been conditioned to be a good listener, make sensible choices, and not stick your neck out so your head won’t get chopped off!

Thus, when we make choices to honor our own pathway, there is an inherent friction between our personal will and societal norms. Let’s acknowledge that.

But here is the deal, my Sacred Rebel friend… your unique, personal, divine makeup is the most important thing about you.

You were created as a sacred being with a most interesting set of defining characteristics, plopped on this planet in order to co-create an awesome life, add sacred value, and help others.

The lessons we learn to differentiate ourselves, to define our values, and to claim our creative and personal freedoms are not easy. Nay, we will bump into ancient structures that remind us that we should be ashamed of ourselves for wanting and (God forbid!) asking for something else.

But you always have a choice: to follow society’s old-school rules about your life, what you are capable of, and are permitted to create… or to honor your voice and spirit, step into your magical Self, and create something worth living for.

I honor all Sacred Rebels. I know the choices you have made are beyond hard. But seriously, how could it be any other way?

Prompts for Honoring Your Values

Take a moment to breathe, center awareness within the heart space, and enter into a state of stillness.  Allow these questions to guide your higher mind into clarity.

Can you recall a Situation in which you encountered a compromise to your creative values?

How did you respond? What transpired from that situation?

What would you have done differently?

What do you choose now as a response to honor your own values?

What act of forgiveness can you make in order to set yourself free from any emotional burden of this situation?

A Prayer for Sacred Rebels

Dear God,
Help me to believe in myself.
Help me to stand behind myself, as I know You stand behind me at all times, and in all things.
Help me step courageously into my true nature, shining with the inner light of Your love.
Help me burn up my fears and worries of what others may think, so that I may turn my attention to the divine work of co-creation with You and the Muses.
I honor my choices, they guide my pathway.
I honor my mistakes, they offer enlightenment.
I honor my pathway, for it leads to the fulfillment my highest calling.
Shore up my faith.
Stoke my inner fire.
Secure my courage.
Lead me through the sacred threshold of life to honor You as I honor myself, created by You, and co-creating with You.
And so it is. Amen.

Allison