Living With Authenticity

What does is meant to live with authenticity?

We live in a world where it's easy to get swept up in the conformity of life. In fact, I would argue that's exactly what society at large drives us towards, is conformity. From the time we enter school, until we join the workplace, we're taught how to follow instructions, achieve good grades, to get a good job and buy the house, pay the taxes, etc. In the history of the world, thinking differently from others has been considered to be rebellious all the way to downright heresy. People have been murdered for their individualistic beliefs. Those same beliefs are the building blocks that have kept us progressing as a species. If not for those ideas, we'd still be sacrificing people to deities and living on a flat earth -although depending on who you talk to, that might still be up for debate.

Back to the point. We need to listen to our own intuition and follow that intuition without censoring ourselves and deviating towards the path of conformity. This is probably a good time to call out that; your intuition should be driven by love and not fear/hate. There is no room in this world for hate. I mention fear and hate, because hate is a bi-product of fear. That's discussion for another day, but the important take-away here is that if you're representing yourself authentically from a place of love you will connect to others and build. If doing so from fear/hate, you can only separate and destroy. If you don't believe what I'm saying, just look in any history book. Wars separate humanity and kill many, and at the end of war, we end up coming back together and, in many cases, becoming close allies. Why did anyone have to lose their life, just to have a bunch of politicians decide it was time to play nice again? Now, look at the other side of that coin. Have you ever chosen to help someone out when others didn't? For example, have you ever stood up for person who was being picked on? given a few dollars to the unhoused person on the streetcorner? volunteered at a shelter (for pets or people)? Hopefully, you have, if not, maybe you'll be inspired to. I mention these acts, because in these situations many people turn a blind eye (many don't as well), but if you've performed one of these or any other similar act, it came from your intuition compelling you to step in and act differently (authentically) from other people. After the fact, I'll bet you and the person you helped, probably both felt a little bit better inside for what you did. That is what authenticity and intuition from a place of love will get you. Similarly, have you ever smiled at someone who didn't look particularly happy? Well, you may get someone who just glares back or maybe someone who doesn't even notice. However, when you do this and the other person smiles back, it feels awesome! If you haven't tried it, I'd highly recommend, but ONLY if you truly feel compelled to. Faking authenticity is also, sadly, something that exists, and when people get a whiff of false authenticity, they tend to walk the other way quickly.

This is just the tip of the authentic 'iceberg' my friend. In order to tap into your intuition and live authentically each day, it's not hard, but we have to rewire our minds, so that they don't deviate when a chance to think 'differently' occurs. If you want some help getting to the place in your life, where you don't have to sacrifice who you are, and you can live each day the way you want, I encourage you to reach out and connect with me.