What does it mean to be authentic? Simply put, it means to live your life with truth. “Hang on… I’m an honest person,” says the one who posts on social media about animal welfare, and then buys a fur coat for a fancy occasion to impress their superficial friends. And how frustrating is it when someone speaks of family values, and their undying devotion to their spouse and children, and then gets caught kissing the barista behind the coffee shop?
“Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” CS Lewis
Authenticity goes deeper than not telling lies or omitting the truth. It means you are exactly who you say you are, and how you present yourself to the world. There is vulnerability in being transparent and that requires courage and a strong mindset. Especially in a society that encourages individuality, and then crushes those who adopt it.
BE YOURSELF
Society: Not like that!
The expression of who we truly are often gets stifled in childhood. You may have experienced overbearing parents who tried to mould you into the perfect version of a child that fits their expectations, even though they were probably unaware that they stripped away your true nature.
In schools, we are forced to participate in subjects that bore us to death and then we're held back from what truly interests and excites us. By the time we hit puberty, we’re pretty screwed up about who we are meant to be and how we should navigate our way in the world around us.
The masks we wear are layered with conditioning, comparisons, and competition. Many are living in survival mode, which inhibits authenticity. Then, we reach adulthood and become responsible for our choices and decisions. Often, we take a path that is dictated by societal expectations and not what is best for our soul. How many have married the wrong person, hung out with the wrong friends, or stayed in a dead-end job? Peel back some layers and ask yourself, were those decisions based on your truth? Bad decisions never come from a place of authenticity.
We become attached to everyone else’s thoughts and opinions, and it wires into our brains as a default setting. When we start the process of detaching from our false self, we open the door to allow for original thought to manifest.
“No legacy is so rich as honesty” Shakespeare.
What is important to you? What passions drive you? Do your values and beliefs align with your higher purpose? Keep questioning until the false parts of you fall away. According to psychologist Dr Jordon Peterson, the key to finding authenticity is felt within. When we speak our truth, it strengthens us, and alternatively, self-deception weakens us. This kind of transformation is life changing. Stepping into authenticity leads to integrity, and that is the highest compliment to anyone's reputation. When we are out of sync with our true nature, we are holding ourselves back from our highest potential.
You know when you're with an authentic person by how they make you feel. They operate from a higher vibration and hold strong moral principles. You can see the honesty in their eyes and feel it by the way they talk. Authentic people are consistent in their manner and naturally gain trust from those around them.
“Everybody would love to be able to be themselves, but they can’t because they must fall in line with the person in front of them. You wanna live that kind of life, I wish you the best, I’ll be on the other side somewhere.” Johnny Depp
It is depressing enough living in a guilt-ridden world that’s infested with toxic behaviour, blaming and shaming, and many are driven into a psychological hole of doom. A cluttered mind full of self-doubt is screaming out for guidance.
Doctors' waiting rooms are pushed to capacity, with desperate patients looking for answers, and eventually, they’ll be offered a packet of pills. But imagine being handed a prescription for an authentic life! Side effects include extreme joy, the power to manifest, and eternal peace. Aligning with your true thoughts and feelings will re-set your character to who you were born to be.
It’s never too late to unravel a twisted mind, undo years of programming and break the chains of conformity. There is a little rebel inside all of us, behind the door of fear. Challenge yourself, cut the cord and dig deep to get to know yourself. Self-awareness is the first step to living a life of authenticity. It requires us to stand our ground, lay firm boundaries, and speak our truth regardless of the consequences. Stand up for your beliefs and values, unapologetically, and take accountability for your faults. Show up and be real!
Failing to do so will keep you numbed, brainwashed, and headed down a spiral path that leads nowhere. When you live an authentic life with integrity, you will inspire others to do the same. You’ll no longer have concerns or fears about what others think of you, or the need for approval.
“With integrity, you have nothing to fear since you have nothing to hide” Zig Ziglar
Anything that raises your vibration and aligns with your higher self will put you into the flow of the universe, and attract the right people and situations, bringing peace and better health. So, are you going to fall in line with the person in front of you, or will you be over there somewhere? Staying true to yourself is an act of rebellion. The choice is yours…
Living in your truth will set you free!
