THE POWER OF AUTHENTICITY: Are You The Real Deal?

Do you have a tendency to shy away from your true convictions in order to fit in, be accepted or not rock the boat? I dare say that most people do. Yet, we admire those who have evolved into individuals who possess the confidence to live their truth instead being complicit with societal norms, whereby influencing positive change.

When I look back over my, from my early twenties through my mid-thirties, I realize it was a period of discovery. I was wandering through life trying to figure out just where I fit. I was successful by all accounts but I was living someone else's dream. I was conforming to the norms around me while the "real" me was locked up, desperate to break free and go against the grain, should I so choose. It took some time, but gradually and wholly, I resolved to walk, talk and live authentic and free. I was no longer concerned about what people thought about my decisions and choices. I no longer cared about whether I was misunderstood. My confidence soared and my life has never been the same.

Each of us was created unique with a true, substantive existence. We were born with a Divine purpose to fulfill while here on earth. This true and genuine substance of who we are is our authentic self. Over the course of time, many of us lose our true identity as of result of pressures to conform. Without realizing it, we become fictional characters in our own life story. How do you know if you’re living a life of fiction rather than authenticity? Here are seven signs:

1. Trying to live someone else’s dream. It’s good to emulate the good qualifies in people you admire, but seeking to be who they are is futile. Instead, seek to discover your own God-given gifts and talents, and be the best YOU that you can be.

2. Giving up your future desires to please your parents or loved ones. It’s only natural to want to please the people who are most important to us, but not to point of forfeiting your own dreams and passions. You are more energized and focused when you’re doing what you love.

3. Amassing debt to impress other people. Who you are isn’t defined by expensive, designer clothes, the car your drive, the number of degrees you’ve earned, the money in your bank account or the size of your house. There’s nothing wrong with having these possessions as long as this “stuff” is in proper perspective.

4. Obsessed with changing your appearance. Plastic surgery, make-up, artificial implants, injections, purging and the likes cannot fill a void in the soul. There’s a big difference between enhancing and embellishing your natural, physical appearance.

5. Constantly seeking validation or approval from others. Your worth and value is not determined by what others think about you but what you think about yourself.

6. Intimidated or envious of other people. Knowing and pursuing your life’s purpose releases you from the need to be intimidated or envious of other people, because you’re too busy focused on the goals you’ve set for your life to be distracted, or concerned, about what other people are doing.

7. Living a life of pretense. None of us got to choose where we started in life. There are some things that are just beyond your control. Use your life experiences as learning tools designed to help you reach your destiny. Embrace your history; hold on to the good and release the pain. You are not what you’ve been through.

Your authentic self is not defined by what the world says, but by your core values of honesty and truth. For many of us, getting to that place of authenticity is an evolution. When and how we reach the place of authenticity is different for each of us. Some of us reach it early in life, while others, live a fictional life for a period of time before recognizing our who we are authentically.

It is when we have defined our authentic self that we are able to know ourselves on a higher level. We are then able to consciously evolve and recognize our unique humanity, desires and creativity. As we intentionally engage at this higher level of evolution, our future becomes clearer, more focused and we become more energized.

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