I like to revisit this question every once in a while:
Is there anywhere in my life where I am being less than authentic?
Since I am responsible for all of my tomorrows, is there anywhere I could show up more fully, more honestly?
In my dealings with myself and others, am I coming from an authentic place?
The need to look at this arises for me when I find myself acting out of some need (ie pleasing others),
rather than coming from a place where truth resides.
June 10, 2009 at 7:34 am
Ewck! ;p
I ask myself this question too. It’s a learning process for me. But right now, it’s all about expressing my true self – feelings, thoughts, my heart in general. Hence, the blog. TeeHee!
June 10, 2009 at 7:55 am
it is a good question to return to from time to time, I think, Faith. It is a journey, isn’t it?
June 10, 2009 at 8:24 am
Yes, there is nothing more powerful than asking questions and listening for the answers. Opening and knowing. It keeps me from getting stuck in my own fog. I so agree with you that our becoming never ends, how could it, we are eternal beings?
June 10, 2009 at 8:25 am
Some people sense there is no such thing as tomorrow. In this sense, being completely present recognizes everything happens now.
June 10, 2009 at 8:52 am
Anne–Opening and knowing. I love it, Anne.
Liara–technically, I agree with you, there isn’t a tomorrow, just one long stretch of eternity that we humans break into bits. But for the purpose of communication, I do mean tomorrow.
Thanks for your comments!
June 10, 2009 at 9:50 am
Hi Molly-
Oh my, excellent question Molly. Authenticity is a simple yet often hidden expression – covered over with ‘masks’. Some times masks are necessary – not everyone I encounter needs to ‘know’ everything. It is when I intentionally hide my authentic self because of some fear, – need to hide. I am hiding a bit in the situation of which you are aware – unable to confront – and masking it in some hope of ’silent witness’ being the answer. I think I am simply afraid to tell the truth, what I really feel, because I fear the reaction. How weird is that? I am a mature woman that has survived so much and in this situation I am somewhat paralyzed.
I know I will get beyond this but the process is quite unsettling. eesh.
love to you
Gail
peace…..
June 10, 2009 at 9:56 am
I like that thought, “I am responsible for all of my tomorrows.” Reminds me that all my tomorrows are mine, all mine, and I should live them to please myself (provided my aim is true, I suppose), not others. Thanks, Molly.
June 10, 2009 at 10:02 am
Gail–Good luck in your situation. I think deciding to be okay with the discomfort that will invariably arise when we confront the really tough situations (well, not confront, but rather move into them), is part of the path to liberation.
Laura–Glad it works for you. I like it too, and need to keep coming back to it!
June 10, 2009 at 10:42 am
Truth be told, sometimes I feel like an onion who is still being peeled, layer by layer, exposing who I really am.
June 10, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Talon–that’s beautiful. I’m right there with you!
June 10, 2009 at 1:13 pm
This is an essential question to ask of our self! Thanks for this.
June 10, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I was thinking this very same question earlier today about a certain area in my life and then I read your post. How synchronistic and now I suppose I know my answer.
June 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm
good question here molly. imporetent one. hard one. i think for most of us the easyst lie is to ourselves. and this one is very tricky. very very cunning is our mind, our ego, very easy was finding ‘reasons’ for what and how.
great is the one which can answer that to himself honestly.
blessings
D!
June 10, 2009 at 1:57 pm
To Be me–you know, I think I might put it on a sticky above my desk, so I see it daily. Thanks for your comment.
June 10, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Andi–I just love synchronistic events. They make me happy. I definitely experienced the same when I visited your blog.
Utopian Fragments–I guess that really is a blessing, huh?
June 10, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Good questions to ask yourself once in a while and to strive for. By coincedence I was pondering on simular things but with a different angle. I will post on it soon.
June 10, 2009 at 6:49 pm
A powerful practice indeed! Questioning ourselves does bring our focus/attention to a higher consciousness.
I find myself doing this as well. This also helped me realize that taking responsibility is actually the same as welcoming freedom; although many see it as the opposite.
Thank you for sharing this!
June 11, 2009 at 10:23 am
“Is there anywhere in my life where I am being less than authentic?”
What a great question to ask our self. I have written it out and carry it with me as a reminder.
Thank you
June 11, 2009 at 11:19 am
Marja–I look forward to reading your post.
C.Om–”taing responsibility is the same thing as welcoming freedom.” Really well put.
J–I’m glad it resonated with you!
June 11, 2009 at 11:42 am
As I read your post, Molly, I’m aware of how easily I deceive myself around “authenticity.” For me, it’s so easy to manufacture “Barry” as a kind, compassionate, well-spoken fellow. But to do this, I have to shove down irritation, anger, desire, confusion and other less “acceptable” aspects of my self.
It’s almost like we’re engaged in group collusion – I’d like to be authentic, but others couldn’t handle the authentic me, so I won’t be authentic, but then others will know that I’m faking it, etc. And so it plays out.
One of us needs to stop the collusion and become authentic. Then everyone else will be freed to join us. Indra’s Net at work!
Thank you!
June 11, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Barry–It’s a lifetime job, isn’t it? Thanks for your wise words. I am presently attempting to be more authentic in the area of not needing to take care of everyone around me, because quite frankly I don’t have the bandwidth for it. It is hard to cut those strings, however, even though it is the authentic thing for me to do, because that is what I am driven from the inside out to do right now.
As always, I appreciate your feedback.
June 11, 2009 at 5:47 pm
very interesting question..you know this makes me wonder, whats my authenticity…not easy to determine
June 11, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Rambler–Sometimes it’s not, is it? Lots of fog to wade through, from time to time.
June 12, 2009 at 12:23 am
I think it is easier to be more authentic. But we don’t realize it. We could be firm (even with customers and boss) without being rude. This kind of explicit authenticity has borne fruits for me. Because, the customer will not give business for our sweet talks, and the boss will not let us go for the same reasons. Why not then, be more frank and to the point – the no nonsense attitude. I learnt that the hard way!
Destination Infinity
June 12, 2009 at 6:53 am
DI–i couldn’t agree with you more. Being explicitly authentic may initially be uncomfortable, but in the end, I think the freedom that it allows us is important.
June 12, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Excellent question and I know I don’t do it all the time … although I think I’m getting better at this as I get older.
June 12, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Aggs–Aren’t we all?!?
June 12, 2009 at 10:49 pm
I wish I could say “I’m getting better at this as I get younger.” ;p
Yes, we do have to check on it from time to time. But unlike last year for me, I now do it with ease. Ahhh… The flow! Just go with the flow, and when you’ve stepped into the light, everything is truly easier.
June 13, 2009 at 9:40 am
Faith–how true your words are, my dear. You said it beautifully!
June 13, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Oh, what a wonderful story you’ve shared with us! So Faith Filled. This one caused a tear to drop for me too. Faith comes in many forms, but most often than not, in the form of our human relationship with other humans.
Blessings Molly. Thanks sooooooooo much for sharing this with us!!!!
June 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Oops. I responded to the wrong post. The above comment was for the post on the story your brother shared with you on faith. As for authentic; I strive. Sometimes it becomes second nature, other times, as you say I loose sight of my identity. I do know that the more I stay cognizant of my true being, the easier staying authentic becomes. I didn’t get to this point over night, and seems I won’t peel all the layers off over night. But, hey, anything’s possible.
PLL, C.
June 13, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Thanks for stopping by and like I said, anyone is welcome to it!
June 13, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Excellent question, one that I need to look at in my life.
Enjoy your site. Have added you to my blog roll, hope that is OK with you.
Bill
June 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Wow, that IS an incredible story! And it totally gave me goosebumps as well. Thanks for sharing.
June 16, 2009 at 2:15 am
Excellent question that’s worthy to be asked, Molly.
I think that our ‘authenticity’ is validated by how our actions and words are in harmony with each other. In an old post for me entitled “Sorry!” I wrote about something near to your question but from a different perspective. Feel free to check it anytime.
p.s.: thanks for the clarification regarding ‘Elizabith Gilbert’
June 17, 2009 at 5:38 am
Good question we all need to refer to, its easy to become lost from the track in this chaos, we call life.
June 18, 2009 at 1:24 pm
PS I’ve been telling everyone about this story. Gives everyone goosebumps!!!
June 20, 2009 at 6:47 am
Love to hear stories like that!!! Thanks for sharing!
June 25, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Gives me shivers. Great story. Thanks for dropping by Beach Vintage and leaving a comment.xx
June 30, 2009 at 11:41 am
[...] It is what has to happen for me to be authentic. [...]