There’s so much talk about living authentically with integrity, especially if representing yourself online, but what does this really mean?
According to the dictionary authenticity is “of undisputed origin: genuine, original”. Who are we if not original? That’s such a valid question. Many people are so lost in believing they must act in a particular way to be accepted by society that they don’t know how to ‘be’ their genuine self. As a whole we want to believe that we are living in a free world where our choices are our own, but are we? Rules, laws, peer pressure and community dictate our behaviour. We are all ‘programmed’ to an extent on what is acceptable and what’s not. From the moment we’re born there are expectations put upon us with guidelines as to what is ‘normal’.
So, where do you find authenticity?
My personal opinion is; authenticity lives within our soul. We are being authentic when we’re feeling self-assured, confident, determined with a purpose that feels right for us from the depth of our soul. When we listen to our own conscience and radiate happiness from within the bowels of our presence.
It’s this emotion, feeling, consciousness that resonates a big YES from within our inner awareness and aligns with everything we want for our self that defines authenticity for me.
What does it feel like?
Personally, I have become more aware (keyword being ‘aware’) of what I’m feeling more often than what I’m thinking. When I’m aligned with what I’m feeling I am more relaxed, confident, and at the same time happy inwardly. I don’t feel a need to assert myself, explain myself or convince anyone of anything. No matter what others have to say I feel unwavering in my knowledge of what resonates with me. I am 100% comfortable in my own skin, in my thoughts and with my actions when I am authentically feeling me. It feels real! It feels right! It feels fantastic! For me, it’s the essence of happiness!
How do I access it?
Any great coach will tell you that it’s in asking the right questions and listening to the answers that sound truthful that defines good coaching. Through learning coaching skills and years of personal development I’ve discovered how to listen and hear what my own body is telling me. I’m ‘in touch’, aligned with my ‘soul awareness’ or what I sometimes refer to as my intuition when I’m feeling relaxed, confident, self-loving, as though everything about me matters. When every cell in my body feels as though it agrees with what I’m doing, or saying I feel I’m being authentic. It’s not just a fleeting moment of excitement or enthusiasm, it’s a definitive, definite lasting feeling of who I am and how I feel that feels real. So, in response to “how do I access my authenticity” I would say by listening to by body, mind and soul and truly understanding what I’m feeling. When you’re not feeling happy doing what you’re doing, content and peaceful, consistently excited and purposeful, confident and sure of yourself and determined no matter what others’ have to say then you likely aren’t being authentic or aligned with your purpose. If you feel discouraged, angry, worthless, or any other negative emotion doing what you’re doing then you certainly aren’t living your authentic self. You deserve more!
Each and every person on Earth matters! We ALL have a purpose. We ALL have the ability to live our authentic self if and when we listen to what our own inner voices and emotions are telling us. It’s when we don’t listen and we act from our head, not our heart that we question authenticity, purpose and ourselves.
You know at some level what brings you joy. Begin following your joy more often, living authentically and you will begin attracting the people and events into your life that resonate with you personally. As you align with these people and events your joy expands and before you know it your life will be purposeful.
Want help along the way? My purpose, as a life coach is to support those with the desire and will to persistently discover more happiness. Join me in coaching!