Really fine article. I think that the starting point to connecting with one’s true self is to know and live one’s values. People talk about their values, but to really know them, understand them, and know how they show up so that one can consistently act according to these values is essential to being who you really are. And, as I suspect you would concur, these are not necessarily the values imposed on us by the church or other patriarchal organization. They are OURS. Connecting with the values that make us who we are can be particularly challenging when we have accepted those given to us by others. There’s also a lot of inner tension as one makes that transition.