Written by John Maurice
In this vast, spinning universe, there’s only one me. One voice. One life. One messy, brilliant, complicated person trying to figure it all out. And in that singular existence, there’s an entire cosmos—uni-verse—of potential waiting to be unleashed. But here’s the kicker: before I can unlock the life I’m meant to live, I have to face my biggest obstacle.
Myself.
Now, this isn’t some epic battle against the world, though some days it sure feels like it. This is the battle between me—the version of myself that radiates love, hope, and compassion—and, well, the other me. The one that likes to stew in anger, take things personally, and has a quick temper when someone cuts in line or cuts you off when driving and then they drive slow when no one else is behind you and you’re in a rush.
Let’s get real: the war isn’t out there. It’s inside me. It’s me against me.
The Eternal Wrestling Match
The other day, someone said something shady to me. And while my heart whispered, “Be kind, John, rise above,” another part of me yelled, “Oh, we’re going there? Bring it on, I got time today! ” Why is that? Why, when faced with betrayal or disrespect, do I feel this internal tug-of-war between being the bigger person and serving up a petty hard cut-through clapback?
Here’s what I’ve realized: to feel both grace and anger isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s proof I’m human. It’s a balancing act between knowing when to extend compassion and when to stand my ground. Because, let’s be honest, pretending I don’t feel the fire doesn’t make me enlightened. It just makes me a ticking time bomb.
I’ve learned something important: anger on its own? It burns. It consumes. But anger channeled wisely—through truth, through love—becomes fuel. It’s like the difference between a wildfire and a candle. One destroys; the other illuminates.
The challenge is sitting with those feelings—anger, frustration, even the occasional desire for revenge—and not letting them drive the car. Instead, they sit in the backseat, where they can scream all they want, but they’re not steering this journey.
Why Truth Matters
Now here’s the hard part: getting honest with myself.
I’m not talking about the Instagram version of honesty where I share a humblebrag and call it vulnerability. I mean the raw, uncomfortable kind of truth. The kind where I admit, “Yeah, I still get mad when people underestimate me,” or “Okay, maybe I was being a little dramatic about that parking spot.”
Living in truth means looking at all the parts of me—not just the polished ones I like to show off. It means owning the shadows alongside the light. Because guess what? The shadows are part of the story, too.
The more I confront those uncomfortable truths, the more I realize they’re not there to hold me back. They’re there to teach me. To remind me of my power. And when I embrace that power? That’s when transformation begins.
The Cosmic Joke of Self-Awareness
Here’s the thing about self-awareness—it’s humbling. One minute you’re feeling all zen, like “Wow, I’ve really grown,” and the next, you’re yelling at your dog for looking at you funny. (Sorry, Max.)
Growth isn’t linear. It’s messy, awkward, and often hilarious. But that’s the beauty of it. Every time I trip up, I remind myself: at least I’m moving forward. At least I’m learning. At least I’m trying.
And you know what? That’s enough.
The Vision Beyond the Veil
So, where does this leave us?
In a universe with infinite possibilities, there’s only one me—and only one you. This life, this story, this purpose—it’s ours to create. No one else gets to write our chapters.
The anger, the grace, the heartbreak, the joy—it’s all part of the masterpiece. And as I peel back the layers, as I lift the veil on who I am and who I want to be, I see it clearly: the light within me is stronger than any darkness.
I’m not here to just exist. I’m here to create, to love, and to live on purpose. And that means showing up for myself, flaws and all, every single day.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real. It’s about choosing love, choosing growth, and choosing to believe in the life you’re meant to live.
So here’s my promise to myself—and to you: I’m going to keep lifting the veil. I’m going to keep creating a universe that’s filled with light, abundance, and infinite possibility. And I hope you’ll join me.
Because when you believe in yourself, when you start living your truth, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
I believe in you. And one day, I know that I’ll see you on the other side of your dreams, living the life you’ve always wanted.
Until next time,
Love always,
John Maurice