15/11/2024
We have authenticity a bit mixed up. It is not our patterns or preferences-it’s honoring what we feel in the present moment even when it contradicts our norms.
Introverts can have days they crave being around people. That is authenticity in action! Despite the usual need for solitude, we honor how we feel in the NOW.
I had a former friend who once called me a hypocrite for telling someone I was an introvert because we were at a party. It always stuck with me, as my brain didn’t naturally categorize or put myself into limiting descriptors and metaphorical boxes. It hurt my feelings how she would disagree with a personal truth of mine or vilify me for not fitting her perception of “introvert”. It is never that black and white and we are changing moment to moment.
Labels can be useful-it helps knowing I do not gain energy by being around groups of people. I am able to understand my limits and boundaries because of that descriptor. However it would be inauthentic of me to never go out and socialize because of a preconceived idea of what someone should be as an introvert.
Another example is you can be an “unemotional person” who is not prone to tears. Yet for you to practice authenticity-you would allow for any cry that finds your eyes, even if it is rare. To not cry or to feel shame for crying because one is “not a crier” is the opposite of authenticity. It is characterizing a whole human.
To be scared when you are usually tough, to be firm when you are usually soft, to soften when you would usually tense up-that is authenticity and you will usually find that our self labels have us ignoring our now, and putting us in a role to play. The world is not a movie and you are not a character to be summed up on IMDB. We are dynamic and ever evolving beings with a lot of depth to our mind and soul-honor that depth! Honor the real. Honor YOU by honoring all you feel.
Authenticity is a PRACTICE and some days will be easier than others, but like all things, you get better with practice.