I read this great quote from Peter Shankman. Stop trying to speak butterfly to caterpillar people. Not everyone is ready for your special kind of magic, and that’s OK. One of the hardest lessons to learn is that some people will never be ready for your kind of magic. But again, that’s OK. Spend your precious time focused on the people whose magic vibes with yours. This is being authentic.
I read a book called BE Positive even if it’s not your blood type, your life will change by Rich Wood In it he describes the science that backs why the law of attraction is real. I like surrounding myself with authentic people I can trust and are real. They are transparent , authentic and you get what you see.
What does it mean to be authentic? There are varying definitions of authenticity including words such as genuine, trustworthy and honest. Personally, the one I like the most comes from an article in Psychology Today. “Individuals considered authentic are those who generally strive to align their actions with their core values and beliefs with the hope of discovering, and then acting in sync with, their “true selves.”
Why is it hard to be authentic? I’ve always tried to be transparent, what you see is what you get. I don’t always succeed. I know it’s about fear of not being accepted or fitting in. This is when I need to speak “butterfly”. There are many factors that play into this – family upbringing, cultural training, long-held beliefs about what’s “appropriate,” and our own personal fears. When it comes to being authentic, the bottom line for most of us is that we’re scared. We don’t want to deal with what we imagine to be the consequences of authenticity – people’s judgments or reactions, our own fears and doubts, possible failure or rejection, and more – so we just shut up and try to fit in.
As I mentioned in the birthday blog I don’t like being judged by an arbitrary standard such as age so I joke about it but I don’t tell it. It’s fear of being “seen differently” So I just shut up and fit in
Trying to fit in, as we all know from experience, doesn’t really work, feel good, or lead us to anything meaningful or fulfilling in life. Doing this leads to resentment, frustration, and a lack of power in our lives, but is often easier for us to do than it is to confront our fear, speak our truth, and be fully authentic.
Here are a few questions for you to think about and answer with honesty and compassion:
- What specific messages have you received throughout your life about being authentic and being yourself, that stop you from expressing yourself fully?
- What are the main obstacles that get in your way of being real?
- What are some of the biggest fears you have about being fully yourself, speaking your truth, and going for what you want in life?
Allow yourself to sit with these questions, ponder them, and see what comes out of this inquiry. Talk to others about this with empathy and openness. Engaging in this inquiry can and will open up some new ideas, insights, and possibilities for you. Have fun with it and be kind to yourself in the process!
The importance of authenticity can be evidenced by its strong links with well-being. More specifically, being authentic results in more positive emotions, greater life satisfaction, feelings of greater autonomy and control, a greater sense of purpose and greater self-acceptance
Expand your butterfly vocabulary and associates. Be the you the world wants and needs now.
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