The Question I Ask Myself Daily To Live A More Truthful, Aligned Life

A hospice caregiver who had listened to the final reflections of thousands of dying people wrote an article that has remained with me for years. In it, she said that the greatest regret she heard regularly from those at the end of their lives was: "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself."

I started asking myself, "Am I living true to myself today? Right now?" This inquiry was so revealing and valuable that I began bringing it to my meditation students, asking, "Do you feel your life is aligned with what matters to your heart? Are you living true to yourself?"

Yet so often there is also an underlying self-doubt or questioning. They tell me that they regularly lose sight of their aspirations and get caught up in self-judgment and addictive behaviors. They go on autopilot or get stuck in painful old habits that distance them from others.

One student said, "Each day there's a gap between my potential and how I live. That gap makes me feel like I'm always falling short."

Now when I realize I've lost touch with my intention to be kind and present with others, I'm grateful for noticing rather than self-critical. Asking myself questions like, "In this moment, am I living from love?" reminds me of what's possible and calls me back into alignment with my true nature.

The longing to live true to ourselves is a natural and beautiful calling from our most pure and loving heart. Judging ourselves only distances us from this basic goodness. The real courage to live true to ourselves begins with holding our inner experience with compassion. This frees us to bring our light and love to all of life.