Authentic Self, Brightest Self (Part 2)

Narrator: There's a galaxy inside of me A spark in you A thought set free we're more than just one Most eyes can see. This is the Giddy Oak Guide to the Gaax.

Sherrise: Hey, explorers. I'm really glad you're here again. Last time in Luminea, Kai and Rhea discovered something important. They discovered that the light in the morning grove isn't asking them to perform. It's asking them to be true. M and that question, what does it mean to be true doesn't just belong to them. It belongs to all of us. Sometimes we think being our best means being the loudest or the funniest, or the most impressive, or the most perfect. So we perform. We shapeshift. We try to be what we think the moment wants. And for a second, it can look like it works. People might clap or laugh or say wow. But inside, you can feel it. That tight feeling, that trying feeling, that holding your breath feeling. That's not your brightest self. That's your effort self. Your performance self. Your trying to be safe self. And again, sometimes that part is just doing its best. We're not mad at it. We don't want it to drive the ship all the time. But we don't want it to drive the ship all the time. So here's the key idea for today. Being yourself isn't about trying harder. It's about relaxing. Relaxing into who you already are. Authentic self is not a costume you put on. It's what's there when you stop costume changing. M so how do you know the difference? Here are three clues that you can feel. Clue 1. Authentic feels like exhale. Even if you're nervous, there's a part of you that feels more open when you're being real. Like you can breathe. Clue 2. Authentic feels steady, not boring. Steady like you're standing on your own feet instead of balancing on someone else's opinions. Clue 3. Authentic feels like a quiet yes in your body. Sometimes it's a big yes. Sometimes it's a small yes. But it feels like this is me confidence. And when you're not being authentic, your body often gives you a not yes. There's a tight feeling in your chest. A stomach twist, a clenched jaw. A heavy feeling. Now here's the important part. M Authentic doesn't mean you always say everything you think. Authentic doesn't mean you're rude. Authentic doesn't mean you never change. It means you're connected to your real self while you move through the world. Okay, now back to Kai and Rhea. Because Luminea is about to Teach them in the most luminea way possible, with light. But before we jump back into the story, let's do a small reflection together. You don't have to close your eyes, but you can if you want. M Imagine there are two versions of you inside your body right now. One is the real you, the authentic you. The other is the try hard you. And again, the try hard you is not bad. It's just nervous sometimes. Now think about doing something simple. Think about how you act when you feel totally safe. Maybe with a favorite person or with a pet or alone in your room. When you're making up a story and nobody is watching. Notice what your body feels like when you imagine that. Is your face softer? Do your shoulders drop a little? Does your breathing get easier? Do you smile without thinking about it? Well, that softness is a clue. M M Now think about how you act when you feel like you have to be a certain way to be liked. Maybe you talk differently, or you copy other people, or you get extra quiet or you get extra loud. M Notice what your body does now. Do you get tighter? Do you hold your breath? Do you feel a little buzzy? That's a clue, too. Today we're not judging either one. We're just noticing. Because noticing is how you find your glow. Hey, parents, real quick. You know those golden moments when the campfire's crackling, the stars are out, and the kids are finally asleep? That's your time. It's time to settle in. Sip something delicious and not think about your freezing fingers holding that glass for once. Enter the Giddyup.

Speaker C: Um, glove.

Sherrise: It's a cozy fleece mitten. M With a built in drink holder. Yes, really. It keeps your hand warm and it holds your cup, bottle, or cocktail for you so that you can relax, recharge, and soak it all in. And yes, they work for kids, too. Smaller hands, same clever design. Perfect for hot cocoa moments and little adventurers who want to match the grownups. Because when your hands are warm and your drink is secure, you're free to focus on what really matters. Connecting with other people, your surroundings, or just enjoying the moment with yourself without distraction. Grab yours and one for the kiddo at GiddyUpGov. Um.com use the coupon code GiddyUpGalaxy for an extra 10% off. Built for base camps, bonfires, and whatever the evening brings. If you want extra ways to explore this theme, you can find Explorer extras for kids and a parent and teacher guide on Patreon. The link is in the episode description. Now back to Luminea, Kai and Rhea are still in the clearing. The light mirror is still showing versions. And the spores of perception are floating closer, like they've decided it's time for honesty.

Speaker C: Okay, new plan. We just glow harder. That is not a plan.

Sherrise: That's a motivational poster.

Speaker C: Motivational posters are very convincing. Not illuminea.

Sherrise: Another spore lands on Rhea's shoulder and Rhea suddenly stops bouncing. Her smile softens.

Speaker C: Kai, I think I wants us to stop doing things that's suspicious. Not stop existing.

Sherrise: Stop performing. Kai looks at the mirror again. He sees that heroic version of himself. And for a second, he realizes something.

Speaker C: I don't actually feel like that right now.

Sherrise: What do you feel like?

Speaker C: I feel curious and a little weird and like my stomach is doing that flippy thing.

Narrator: Same.

Sherrise: Rhea takes a slow breath.

Speaker C: I was trying to be funny because

Sherrise: I thought that's what bright means.

Speaker C: I was trying to be impressive because I thought bright means M. Big.

Sherrise: They both get quiet. Not sad, quiet. Listening, quiet. And when they do, the grove changes. The pools of light stop flickering. They settle into steady colors, like they're finally seeing clearly. Then the mirror shifts. Instead of showing costumes, it shows something else.

Speaker C: A glow.

Sherrise: Not around their bodies. Inside. Wait, that's in us. M. Kai's glow looks like pale blue and silver. Steady and thoughtful, like moonlight on water. Rhea's glow looks like warm gold and soft peach. Playful, but grounded, like sunrise through leaves.

Speaker C: It's not one brightness, It's. It's our brightness.

Sherrise: It's like our real selves have different colors. The spores of perception drift between them. One lands in the air between Kai and Rhea, and for a moment, it glows brighter. And in that brightness, they hear something. Not a voice exactly, more like a feeling. Message. The morning grove is communicating.

Speaker C: I think it's saying, stop trying to be aversion and start being real.

Sherrise: Kai takes another breath and his shoulders drop.

Speaker C: Okay, real. I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm curious. And I also kind of want a snack.

Sherrise: That is the most authentic thing you've ever said.

Speaker C: Thank you. I'm growing.

Sherrise: Rhea takes her turn. Okay, real. I like making people laugh, but I

Speaker C: don't want to do it like a trick.

Sherrise: I want it to come from just joy.

Speaker C: And I feel softer right now.

Sherrise: As soon as she says softer, the light around her brightens. Not a flash. A glow. And Kai's light brightens too. Not because they performed, because they told the truth. Now the mirror shows one more thing. A pathway of light stretching through the grove. It looks like a trail, but it's woven out of glowing spores.

Speaker C: Is that for us? I think so.

Sherrise: They step onto the spore path together. And with each step, the glow stays steady. Because they're not trying to be different. They're letting themselves just be here.

Speaker C: Rael, what if being bright isn't about being more? What if it's about being you? That's annoyingly wise. Thank you. I've been practicing.

Sherrise: As they walk, the morning grove seems to open wider. Like it's saying. Yes, this, um. This is the brightest self. Not perfect, not loud. Not fake. Just present. Just true. And when they reach the end of the path, the mirror fades gently, like it has finished its job. The spores of perception drift upward into the sky. And the grove keeps glowing. Not because it's impressed, because it's in harmony. And just like that, explorers, we bring the lesson home. Here's what Kaya and Rhea discovered in Luminea. Your brightest self is not the version of you that tries the hardest. Your brightest self is the version of you that is the most connected to what's real. So let's do today's activation together. It's called the inner glow. Check. You can do this anytime. Before you say yes to something, before you copy someone, before you try to be cool, before you hide.

Speaker C: Step one.

Sherrise: Take a breath in. Step two, ask yourself a simple question. Is this me right now? Not forever. Right now. STEP 3. Listen to your body's answer. If it's a true yes, you might feel more open, more steady. More like exhale. If it's a not yes, you might feel tighter, buzzy, or like you're holding your breath. And if you're not sure, that's okay too. Not sure is also an answer. Not sure means pause, breathe. Again, try a gentler choice. M. Now, let's add one more layer. Imagine your inner glow. Like a color. No wrong answers. Just imagine a color that feels like

Speaker C: you when you are being real.

Sherrise: Maybe it's bright. Maybe it's soft. Maybe it changes. Now, imagine that glow expanding just a little. Not exploding, not blasting, just expanding. Like a lantern lighting up a small room. And notice this. When your glow expands, you don't have to push anyone else's glow away. This is not a competition. There is room for everyone to be real. That's one of the most powerful truths in the whole galaxy. Okay. One last breath. You did it, explorer. You visited Luminea. You watched light tell the truth. And you practiced something that might change your whole day. Because when you stop performing, you start shining. Now, don't forget to answer the Spotify poll or leave a comment if you feel like sharing what you noticed. It genuinely helps this little show grow. And if you want extra ways to explore, you can find Explorer Extras for Kids and a parent and teacher guide on Patreon. The link is in the episode description. If today's episode made you think, smile, or see the world a little differently, let me know. Subscribing or following helps this little podcast grow, and it's the best way to make sure I can keep creating stories like this. Do you have an idea for something we should explore next? I'd love to hear what's lighting up your curiosity. Until next time, explore Explorers. Keep shining in a real way.