AUTHENTICITY; THE PURSUIT OF YOUR INNER SELF
We all live in a world where it is difficult to be accepted and understood by people if you decide to be authentic. This might probably be from your life course to your values and principles, from your attire to the way you think, from the way you approach life to the ways you handle matters of life. Many people forget themselves and stop being them just so they can please those around them by ignoring living in the truth. This challenge affects many young people where the consequences include the victim having low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence thus leading the victim to lack peace and happiness in life from within.
What is Authentic?
A common definition is that being authentic is living your life according to your own needs, values, and goals rather than those that society, friends, and family expect from you. But simply, authenticity means you are true to your personality, values, and spirit regardless of the pressure that you are under to act otherwise. You are honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideas, and actions align. As a result, you come across as genuine, and you are willing to accept the consequences of being true to what you consider to be right.
The Consequences of Not Being Authentic
Not being unapologetically you, comes with a lot of insecurities and low self-esteem issues. Being unapologetically yourself means embracing who you are, what thing makes you unique, knowing what you like and dislike, and what you stand for in life. If you don’t stay true to who you are, through all the ups and downs in life, you will get knocked off-center. Thus, when you release the weight of people and their opinions off your shoulders, you begin to live your life differently and it feels liberating.
- In Relationships
But the fact of the matter is that being single shouldn’t be perceived negatively. It should be looked at as an opportunity for you to grow as a person and truly be happy with every aspect of your being. I think people who can say that they are truly happy to be singly independent and show it with their amazing confidence and assuredness of themselves, will find their soulmate when they least expect it because they are no longer focused on finding the next man or woman, instead, they are focused on being the best version of themselves that they could be. Once you have achieved happiness and fulfillment in life without the need to have a girlfriend or a boyfriend in your life, that is when all the wonderful things fall into place at the right time. Remember, at the end of the day, it's not how beautiful you look on the outside, but how comfortable you are with yourself and with others that will attract the right people into your life.
- In Work
- In Life
When you have haters in your life and some of them are even in higher status than you are, that’s actually a green light to show you how competent and successful you are to be such a threat to them. So don’t ever run away from them, just bring out that bull in you and focus on your red flag target to become even better than before by not paying attention to them. Don’t let anybody try to belittle you in this life. If they can’t see your greatness that is their problem. They must be blind, so let them stay blind. Because by the time when they see again and when they get their sight back it will be too late because your greatness will be shining so brighter, and you won’t even have any time to pay attention to these nonfactors. What they say of you will never matter. All that matters is what you think of yourself, you know what you are capable of and you know what greatness lies ahead of you. So just keep pushing, just keep dreaming, and just keep believing in yourself. And if you really want to get there, you should also learn to love the sound of your feet walking away from people/things not meant for you.
Conclusion
Throughout your life, you’re going to meet people who are intimidated by you. You are different. People don’t know how to react or how to accept people who don’t follow the crowd. They are not used to someone who doesn’t fit in. So instead of bolstering your uniqueness, they try and make you feel like you are weird or damaged.
So don’t ever wait to be accepted, loved, and cared for by someone or everyone even after you’ve done something great for them. Don’t expect the world to be fair with you just because you’re being fair with them. It’s like you’re in the middle of the jungle and you’re expecting a lion not to eat you simply because you don’t eat lions. People tend to have different feelings and opinions about your success, your failure, your looks, your talent, your knowledge, your confidence, your skills, and lastly, everything that you are. So why bother? Whoever will stick with you is the one who deserves your attention and love. So don’t ever trade your authenticity for approval. Be you, do you, and love you. Don’t ever be someone you are not to blend in. In this life full of copies be yourself whoever that may be. Don’t apologize for being you, love yourself, and let yourself shine. I don’t want your approval; God has already preapproved me.
What a nice article!! This is an antidote to those who feel like they are incomplete and always depending on others for approval. Every person is unique in his/her own way.
ReplyDeleteWe are all created in the image and likeness of God. However, that does not mean that we should be the same in everything. We are equal in dignity, though not equal equally in our semblances. Thus, we should avoid forcing our thoughts and external appearances into same semblance of order. Our likeness to God entails UNITY but in DIVERSITY. That is what makes us special.
Our differences are such a great expression of Gods own fashion. Everyone has the grave duty to respect and appreciate others. This would, on the other hand, mean that before we seek to be appreciated by others, we are to appreciate ourselves. Thus, Self acceptance, avoiding inferiority complex, self confidence, accepting that you are a unique gift to the world are among the key elements for being authentic in life.
Being authentic to self is also a measure on how we treat and relate with others in our life with due honour, respecting their differences with emotional warmth.
Those who cling to find perfection outside themselves are hardly happy. Even in relationships, if one is dearly motivated by external looks will eventually come to realize that even what he or she thought was real was just an appearance.
An Ancient Greek Philosopher named Aristotle made a distinction between 'Accidents' and 'Essence'. Essence is what makes a thing what it is. Accidents are those that qualify the essence, those which do not exist on their own, those that depend on the essence to exist. What is important then is the essence. If we appreciate what we really are, we will be satisfied with ourselves and will be authentic. Clinging on the accidents makes a person doubtful, lacking in confidence, always in a state of low self esteem and lacking peace of mind. Let us learn to appreciate our inner self!
God never create someone by mistake. Everybody is valuable and has something special to contribute. Let us all accept that we are wonderfully and fearfully made a little lower than the Angels! (Psalm 8). Everyone is worth it.
Be authentic. Be you. Don't be afraid to stay positive. Don't feel like the majority are always right. Your authenticity in what you are and what you believe in will eventually teach them a lesson. Truth is one and is what really matters. Stay true to yourself and God.
Thanks so much for dedicating your time and energy in writing this. I always get inspired every time I read your articles. Your creative and informative writing is exceptional. Sharing your ideas for the benefit of others has always been your priority. Keep the zeal burning. Looking forward to reading other articles from you!!