Be Authentic
I think being authentic is essential to having a fulfilled life. My favorite quote ever is, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” I have a poster of this on the wall outside my bedroom. It reminds me every day that I need to be true to myself, authentic, and genuine. It’s the only way to live, in my opinion. Any other life is not worth living. So how do we make sure we are being authentic?
Jordan Peterson, in his amazing book "12 Rules for Life," talks about saying no when no needs to be said. He says that if you say no when no needs to be said, you transform yourself into someone who CAN say no. If you say yes when no needs to be said, you transform yourself into someone who can only say yes. He goes on to say that if you wonder how ordinary people find themselves doing terrible things, this is why, and by the time NO seriously needs to be said, there is no one capable of saying it.
In our society nowadays, we are very obsessed with conformity. Everyone has an iPhone. If you don’t have an iPhone, you’re not cool. When you disagree with the narrative of the day, you get made fun of, mocked, or worse; if you disagree with a strong narrative, you get censored, kicked off social media, or even fired from your job. So there is a significant push now more than ever to NOT be authentic but to be sheep.
“If you betray yourself, if you say untrue things, if you act out a lie, you weaken your character. If you have a weak character, then adversity will mow you down when it appears, as it will, inevitably. You will hide, but there will be no place left to hide. And then you will find yourself doing terrible things.” Jordan Peterson
So that’s kinda dark, sorry. I don’t mean this to be dark, but it is serious. Totalitarianism starts when we stop being authentic, stop saying no, and stop standing up for ourselves.
Another great philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, introduced the concept of the "inauthentic person" in his exploration of existential authenticity. For Kierkegaard, living authentically means living a life true to oneself, embracing one's individuality, and making choices based on personal conviction rather than societal expectations. Conversely, an "inauthentic person" is someone who lives in a state of self-deception, conforming to external pressures and failing to acknowledge their true self.
With so much conformity and societal expectations, some with significant consequences, how can we make sure we are being honest, true, and not picking expectations over personal conviction?
We can start with this:
Self-Examination: Engaging in honest self-reflection to understand one's true desires, values, and beliefs.
Personal Choice: Making decisions based on personal conviction rather than societal expectations, even if it means going against the norm.
Embracing Anxiety: Accepting the anxiety that comes with true freedom and personal responsibility, viewing it as a necessary part of authentic existence.
Living in the Present: Focusing on the present moment and making the most of one's current situation, rather than being bogged down by past regrets or future worries.
Is it worth it? Well, I believe that when you live authentically and your actions and decisions are aligned with your true values, beliefs, and desires, this alignment creates a sense of inner harmony and reduces the internal conflict that arises from trying to be someone you are not.
So be YOU and be HAPPY!!!!!
Remember: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." — Oscar Wilde
Have a Great Week!!!!
