I’m Coming Out of the Closet!

We all have secrets we carry around with us. Some bad, some not so bad, some deep-seated and others too close for comfort. Some we are directly related to, others indirectly. It doesn't matter what form they take, they are secrets nonetheless. I figured that since this is the last Sunday closing off 2014 that I would come clean before 2015 rolls over. Secrets tend to be heavy on you and I really don't want to go over in 2015 with all that baggage and weight on me.

Many of you have been reading my articles from inception, and for some, you just stumbled upon them. I want to say a special thank you for reading my articles and emailing me to let me know how it has influenced you in one way or another.

This sounds like a goodbye, right? No, it isn't. It is really a goodbye to some things about me that I have been hiding from, and when I thought about what I really want to do with my life from writing this column, to doing my online radio show, webinars and all that stuff, I realised that I was holding myself back because I wasn't letting go of this one thing that can really catapult me as a person and my business and create that impact and change in other's lives, thereby fulfilling my purpose.

It's a risk for sure because I will be putting myself out there for the whole world to see and criticise and no one wants to face the possibility of negative comments, right? But I am determined, I'm going to come out of my closet, face it head-on, and just roll with the punches.

time for reflection

This time of year is always a time for reflection and evaluation. I have said it many times. Some of us, and I include myself here as well, make the same resolutions we have been making for the past one, two and even five years in a row. One of the reasons we do not move is because we hold on to the baggage in our lives and don't want to let it go. We do not want to open ourselves to others peering in at us, scrutinising us, analysing our every move and decisions we make. You don't want to feel like you're in a glass case. Here is my thought on that: So what!

So what if they keep looking? Clearly, there is nothing going on in their lives so they have no choice but to look at ours, right? We got it going on! We pique their interest. Rather, they wish they were like us but afraid to admit it or even take the leap.

Just like I am doing, my question to you is, what baggage or secret are you carrying? Letting go can be quite therapeutic to your entire body. It helps to release a lot of stress, tightness, headaches, and paranoia and allows you to be yourself among those who are really true and real in their relationship with you - family, friends, co-workers, and so on.

What is holding you back from living your life's purpose, being happy and contented? Is it someone you haven't forgiven or haven't spoken to in years? Come on, reach out to that person.

Now is the time to let go. You are getting older and the years are passing by. Do we really want to continue living this way? Living in other people's frames, dancing to the beat of others' drums? Or you want to be free to be you? I want to be free to be me and that's why I decided to come clean and let you know that I was always hesitant to show myself on video.

Wait a minute? Were you thinking all this time that I was gay? Got ya! No, I am not, but being gay and keeping it a secret is just one thing that lives in a closet. Many of us have other types of secrets in our closets that we need to release to the world or those close to us as those secrets hold us back from true success and happiness. I say, get over yourself!

That would be the title of my first video, so look out for it on my website. Yeah, I know I was on TVJ and all that but let me tell you, I was scared as hell when I did it the first time. The second time, it was better. That just says to me that if I do video more often, I will get comfortable with something I am uncomfortable with, and when that happens, then I need to look for the next challenge that makes me uncomfortable so I can get over that as well.

nothing to lose

It's human nature to be uncomfortable about certain things which challenge us or challenge the status quo, but what the heck! What do you have to lose? A few friends? So what! They were probably not your friends anyway. Here's what I know for sure. You will have an adrenaline rush that will build an excitement within you, you will gain confidence, you will grow personally and professionally and you will be respected and admired. I would take that any day.

So 2015, here I come with more video. I have made up my mind to put myself out there and get over my baggage of the way I look and feel about myself and to stop hiding behind the God-given beauty and talent within me. What God-given gifts and talents are you hiding or keeping secret? Let it out, share it with the world. You have a responsibility to do so.

Need some help in coming out of your own closet? Want to get comfortable with those things that you perceive as uncomfortable? Then try these resources. There is more to come in 2015:

1. Start Your Online Business Today (includes webinars and open discussions and personal coaching from me): http://bit.ly/1FvYGsB.

2. Build your Success Library with these 21 audio recordings, 21 free gifts, 21 workbooks and free giveaway upon sign up: http://bit.ly/134kJIN.

n Corine La Font is a speaker, author, coach and self -publishing consultant. She is also an award-winning publishing resource in the 2013 Small Business Book Awards. Get a copy of her book at http://amzn.to/TFHQka, tune in to her radio programme at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/helpdeskja and check out her website at http://www.helpdeskja.com She can be reached at corinelaf@gmail.com.