Monday Manna
Releasing the fear of being yourself...
Good morning, friends, and every blessing to you as we begin this new month (we are ready for one, yes?) ~
Last week, I focused on my Star Word for 2026 of “Story,” and how to release the “small stories” we tell ourselves (P.S. I loved hearing some of your guiding words for 2026! Please do let me know if you’ve chosen or received a word).
I want to continue today with that theme of releasing things. With the heaviness in and around us right now, one way we can more faithfully and gracefully carry the heaviness we can’t avoid is to release the weight of things we can (and must) let go of. So here is the Spirit’s invitation today:
Release the fear of being yourself.
Alignment, authenticity, and truth keep bubbling to the surface for me, and how any form of pain and brokenness— in my body, in my heart, in my relationships, in my sense of the world — are somehow tied to one of these being smushed. I believe living as our most authentic selves is alignment, and while we all claim to want this, many of us also live with the fear of being that authentic self. In fact, sometimes the most challenging place to begin is being honest with our own selves! I know that from experience.
We don’t hold onto this fear for no good reason. We know that in some cases, choosing authenticity will be met with rejection. But then, the model we follow in Jesus knows a bit about that…
We also know, however, that when we are truly ourselves, we feel so at peace and free that the rejection (no matter how large or small) doesn’t really matter.
An important note before we continue…I write all of this knowing the tragic landscape of both history and current reality — for many people, being themselves puts their very lives in danger. Undergirding the creation of such a reality is fear run wild — people so threatened and insecure in their own selves they feel they must erase the selfhood of others. That is a whole topic that must be addressed on its own, so for now, I will say what leads to those systemic and evil forces begins in the quiet of our own hearts, sitting with our own selves, letting the truth of who we are, what we love, and what we fear be seen. God sits with us in that space.
I believe cultivating authenticity and letting go of the fear of showing it begins with making a kind of sanctuary and safe space in your own soul for it to emerge. Let’s pause for a moment with a question for you — what can you bring into the light today that might help you step more and more into your authenticity? What is something you are carrying inside that maybe no one knows — a hope, a fear, a memory, a dream — that you can gently coax into the open?
Find a place where you feel steady examining this. Maybe you want to use a piece of paper to write on which you know you can recycle right away! This can be another step in the journey of coming home to yourself, in flowing toward alignment, in letting your authenticity shine.
This work is crucial to the world around us right now, because as we become authentically who we are, we will serve and heal the world in the ways only we can. And we will do this beautiful work from a place of joyful trust and confidence. I’m reminded of these powerful words from Parker Palmer last year in which he said,
“Much depends on whether what we do is animated by love, or by one of the lesser angels of our nature. If we do our work mindless, in thrall to cultural norms of “success,” false self is in the lead and will deform us. Doing our work form the inside out, with presence, humility, awareness, and love gives true self a chance to take the lead. You are here to serve, not to put on a show. Don’t ask what will make you look good in the eyes of others. Ask what the world needs, then how your birthright gifts might serve the common good.”*
Everything out there, friends, is healed by everything in here. As my husband often tells me when I’m tempted to blame and point fingers, “Arianne, that’s an inside job.”
So for today, release the fear. Let your authentic self emerge (a good test — what would you do in each situation today if you didn’t care at all about other peoples’ reactions?) Do the work that is yours to do. Trust you have all you need right within you.
*From Parker Palmer’s beautiful substack post last November —
A Prayer
On theme with this release work, here is my prayer for “When I Need to Release and Receive,” from my book, Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life, Second Edition.
When I need to release and receive
Dear Jesus,
Today, I release.
I release my worries.
I release the anxiety that’s gnawed
a tender spot in the bottom of my soul.
I release my fear that the future’s uncertain.
(Because it is, and that’s okay.
You’ll be with me in it.)
I release my simmering bitterness
that’s bubbled on the back burner
for way…too…long.
I release my
unfair expectations
of others—
and myself, too.
I release the frustrations
and shameful secrets I’ve
carried under my arm for years.
I release the story or stories
I no longer want to live.
Jesus, I release.
And, today, Jesus, I receive.
I receive your love promising
I am your child,
that I am good.
I receive your peace reminding me:
“all shall be well, and all manner
of things shall be well.Ӡ
I receive your voice as the
wise whisper I follow.
I receive a new story.
Thank you, God, for receiving me—
and this whole world—
in a giant embrace,
and for receiving this prayer.
You release me to freedom
and receive all to love.
Amen.
Isaiah 43:18–19 * Ephesians 4:31—5:2 * 1 John 3:1
“Do not remember the former things,…
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth…”
—Isaiah 43:18a, 19a
Something that nourished me recently…
*Communal Prayer ~ A lot of my closest friends and family live in Minnesota, and the pain of what’s happening hits at all different levels. One of my best friends there told me about a daily prayer time she and her church are doing, setting alarms on their phones for 8:00, 12:00, and 8:00 p.m. I believe so deeply in prayer, and find that praying with others — even if you are physically by yourself — is incredibly powerful. I was also thinking about how many amazing stories of revelation in the Bible happen at noon (including Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well), and how most of us have some kind of pause (I hope) midway through the day. With all of us being in different time zones, here is my invitation to you — Set an alarm on your phone for noon central time. At that time, take a moment to pray — for Minnesota, for the healing of our nation, for our leaders, for God’s kin(g)dom to come to earth. It doesn’t need to be long. You don’t need to even form words in your head. Just imagine directing all of the love and light of the Spirit toward the pain. And know that as you do, countless other people are doing this at the very same time. Where two or three are gathered….
*My friend gave me a Qi tea set for Christmas that I am in love with… “QI” (Chi — pronounced chee) means Life Energy or Life Force. Flowers contain the most Qi, and each tea packet is a whole intact flower. Qi Tea partners directly with small family farms across Asia to collect their flowers. Putting the flower in a small glass tea pot and watching it bloom has been soothing for my soul.
Ash and Starlight, plus other good things…
*28 DAYS OF BLACK HISTORY ~ I share this every February, but here is your reminder to make sure you are signed up for the 28 Days of Black History daily email. Each day, you will learn about people and historical moments honoring the Black American experience. It is deeply inspiring.
* MY ETSY SHOP ~ Packs of Valentine Cards, pillows, and a sweet kids’ shirt that are perfect for the holiday, along with other prints, clothes, and cards! I send a portion of each sale to World Central Kitchen which provides hunger relief. You can view the shop here.
*SECOND EDITION OF ASH AND STARLIGHT ~ Find the updated edition of my book here at Chalice or at the Bookshop link.
*MONDAY MANNA ARCHIVES ~ Monday Manna each week is free! Paid supporters of Monday Manna can view previous Monday Manna reflections here, or for the really old stuff, go to my website.
*WHAT DOES MANNA MEAN? ~ Check out an earlier post to learn how this little bit of “daily bread” got its name…
*A SPECIAL OFFER FROM GARRETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FOR YOU ~ If you missed it in last week’s post, here’s the reminder that Garrett Theological Seminary is offering a discounted option for Monday Manna Readers in their new course, Made Flesh : Returning to the Wisdom of Our Own Incarnation for $100. Use Promo Code: MANNA100, and the offer good through Feb 21, 2026.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite John O’Donohue blessings — this one is “To Come Home To Yourself.”
May all that is unforgiven in you be released.
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities.
May all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.
Love and Light,
Arianne
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