Thank you, all, for your condolences about my friend. I rarely post things on Facebook, but I posted what I wrote to you last week. By the end of the day, I had several people tell me they were offended by my post. They wanted to protect Sierraʻs memory/family. I immediately took it down, as the last thing I wanted was to offend anyone I cared about.
On Saturday there was a celebration of life services at Hoʻokipa and a "paddle out." A friend of his spoke on behalf of Angela and his daughters. He spoke of Sierraʻs beautiful spirit that we all fell in love with and how helpful and kind he was. He also openly spoke of Sierraʻs struggles with depression, abuse of alcohol and drugs, and eventual suicide. As difficult as it may have been for them, I was relieved that they wanted to talk about the “elephant in the room.” His courageous family wanted everyone to know the truth. They also wanted to let everyone know that help is available for any of us, if we were struggling, too. I was deeply touched by their bravery and love. It was a moment of healing for us all.
When we speak the truth, we are able to use our energy towards healing instead of using it for pretense or show of face. We are able to be more authentic and connected to our true selves. We are closer to an optimum state of healing when we are in alighnment with our truth. We feel better. We can heal.
“AUTHENTICITY is not something we have or donʻt have. Itʻs a practice—a conscious choice of how we want to live. Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. Itʻs about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen”