You read a lot about being authentic these days. Almost every self-help book has a chapter on it somewhere.
But what does it mean really?

Every person you ask will have a different answer to that question, but this is my blog so I'm going to share my perspective and experiences with you.

Throughout my school years, I was pretty much a nerd (there's those labels again). I was a bookworm, an academic. I was never labelled as a sporty type, but when I look back now, I was very sporty. I did athletics, netball, softball and orienteering - making the district teams for most of those sports. Funny.

Once I left school, I fell into a career in hospitality, which I loved. People are pretty great on the whole. Somewhere along the way, while I was still in my teens, I discovered crafts and became very interested in the self-sufficient lifestyle.

I had my children fairly young, and that took me in a different direction again. I was a working mum, but I still had the interest in making things and living a very simple, and I guess wholesome, life.

Over the years though, I veered away from the things that made me happy. There was no time, no money etc. Always plenty of excuses.
One of the things I like about getting older is realising that you need to make yourself happy. You need to do the things that make you feel real - authentic if you will. And it is by making time for the things you love that the feeling of joy becomes your reality on a daily basis.

These days, I am trying to give up doing things that don't bring me joy.. I am learning to say no. I am realising that it's ok to be who I want to be. I don't have a lot of people in my life who understand me, but as long as they accept me that's ok. If they don't accept that this is who I am then gently they slip out of my life.

So what am I doing these days then?

Funnily enough it is everything that was there all along - being active and exercise is important to me, I create and craft, I read alot, I try to live a simple, mindful life. I appreciate everything.

I no longer work in an office in a job I loathe. I'm no longer with a man just because I thought I couldn't look after myself.

There comes a time in everyone's life where you have to make a decision - stay on the safe path or explore new territory, as scary as it might be. After getting off the path, I find that cutting my own way through the undergrowth of the forest isn't as scary as I thought it would be. It's hard work, yes. But it's more rewarding than I could imagine and brings more joy into my life than that safe, smooth and uninspiring concrete path.

In the end, being authentic is, I think, about making choices.

We are all where we are because of the choices we have made in our lives.

I believe it's time to take responsibility. To make choices based on who we are, not what the world expects.

It's time to be authentic. Live your own life, for you.

2 Friends say...:

Anonymous said...

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience... This truth has been expressed since the beginning of time. We are just now beginning to understand it. We need to embrace it, live it and share it with others. If we do this, our world will have less fear and destruction, and more love, happiness and abundance.

Beautiful post Honey Bee xox

Puss-in-Boots said...

Ah, yes. I understand exactly how you feel and I'm glad you have come to that time in your life, too. Isn't it a feeling of complete freedom? I love it and you will become addicted to it, as well, I can promise you that. Hugs.