What will they say about you?
Even worse – what will they think and never dare to say?
We imagine the horrid (or horrifyingly indifferent) reactions when we “put ourselves out there.” And too often, that fear stops us from sharing.
We stay quiet.
Bite our tongues.
Remain in the shadows.
While so much we’d love to do, say, and create stays locked inside us.
Back in 2017, a friend gave me the antidote:
“Slander yourself,” he challenged. “Write a fake news piece that rips you to shreds.”
So I did.
You know what? It made me laugh, hysterically. Writing it was an absolute delight.
By turning my worst fears into a farce, I saw clearly they were always powerless.
Here’s what I wrote (using my old name, as I was married at the time):
DEVIANT BUDDING CULT LEADER ATTEMPTS TO DECEIVE THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE
Stephanie Benedetto Padovani, self proclaimed “soul spelunker,” has got to be stopped.
She besmears the personal transformation industry with her sugar-coated lies and hollow advice. If I have to watch one more homemade video of her trying to be adorable while spouting nonsense, I may puke all over my Keds.
And have you seen her hair? Does she even OWN a comb?
Let me give you an example of her ludicrous statements.
“Everything is inherently neutral. It’s only we who give it meaning.”
Are you kidding me?!? So rape is “neutral?” Bigotry? Prejudice?
This woman would give free license to anyone to act out any impulse without fear of the consequences because, “it’s inherently neutral.” Try telling that to a father whose daughter was just murdered and we’ll see how that goes!
What’s even worse is that she feigns ignorance to avoid accountability for her lies. “I haven’t figured this out yet. It may be useful for you, maybe not,” she says, batting her lashes.
Yeah, right. I’m not buying her Pollyanna bullshit.
Stephanie Benedetto Padovani is nothing but a charlatan preying on the weak-minded and desperate. Of course, only someone fitting that description would listen to her.
Sources reveal that she has a long, sordid history with extreme cult organizations and mind control techniques used in the terrorist military to brainwash prisoners of war. Under the guise of “helping” and “empowering,” she exerts an unnatural influence on others in what she claims is their best interest.
Our reporters have also unearthed rumors of deviant sexual behavior, confirmed by unnamed sources. It’s likely she attempts to use her feminine wiles to deceive unsuspecting innocents — thankfully her awful hair and bad skin thwart those efforts.
This woman claims to be moved by the world and considers them “her children.” All the while she deliberately avoids the news, refuses to engage in discourse about current events and doesn’t show a trace of emotion over recent terrorist acts and the threat of nuclear war. Without a doubt, she is a cold, unfeeling sociopath.
Even so, she seems to have fans who approve of her actions and unwittingly fall for her sweet, loving facade. One recent comment:
“I really enjoy watching your videos. And I deeply respect that you share them and your expertise with no expectation of anything in return. That’s commendable.” – KL
Referring to her content as “expertise” is a stretch, but even if that were so, it’s certainly not done without expectation. I have personally seen her “gratitude journal” in which she has written over and over again, “I make $25,000 a month with ease and joy.” Anyone who is greedy enough to ask for more than her fair share, when people are starving in the world, is clearly acting in her own self-interest.
I predict Benedetto Padovani will be imprisoned or on the cult watch list before the year’s end. When it happens, remember that you heard it here first.
Ridiculous? Yes.
But oh, so freeing to see my worst fears as the cosmic jokes they truly are.
The “voices” in our heads that say you’ll look stupid, they’ll think you’re greedy, no one will care — they’re just bad fiction.
So here’s my challenge to you:
What’s the worst thing they could say about you if you did the thing you really want? Write it down. Make it so over-the-top it makes you laugh.
And then go do the thing anyway.
Because the truth is, the only words that matter are the ones you’re still holding back.
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