Over the last couple years the term authenticity has become the hot new buzz word! We see it in topics from personal development regarding our journey in reconnecting with our true self to the topic of creating lasting relationships by being authentic and open with our partner. Yes, we even see it used when discussing business, marketing and social media in relation to the new conscious business paradigm. I use the word quite often myself especially in regard to the type of business relationships and marketing principles I believe in.
I did a Google search today and discovered over 71 million hits for the term authenticity. I have many books and audios on the topic because I am so drawn to it, so for a moment I am going to step out of my ‘business’ hat and share my personal thoughts on why I believe that ‘authenticity’ is so much more than a buzz word.
A Fundamental Purpose of our Human Experience
In philosophy, one of the common definitions you will find for ‘authenticity’ often refers to the human existence and the conscious self and its journey and struggle in coming to terms with being and existing in a material world. The conscious self struggles with encountering the external forces, pressures and influences which are very different from itself.1 So, authenticity is the degree to which we can tune into and embrace our conscious self (authentic self) and stay faithful and true to our internal, rather than external influences.
The Journey Back to Oneself
What I’ve discovered over the last twenty-five years of my inner journey is that life doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact most of the struggles we experience come from the times when we ignore the truth of who we are to fit into the world’s model of who we think we need to be. Each time we smother our voice, our wisdom we get further and further away from the core essence of who we are and our purpose here. Over the course of my journey, I had become so disconnected from my truth that I had accumulated layers of false masks that I had taken on through life to feel loved, accepted and validated in a variety of circumstances.
Until the day came when I had lost myself and no longer recognized who I was. I had become disconnected from my truth, my essence and felt like a fake in the midst of my own life. That day I began the sacred and scary journey back to myself. One by one I began removing the false masks and began excavating the truth of who I am, who I always had been. Through my own experience and the hundreds of conversations that I’ve had with women over the last twenty years, I’ve come to deeply believe that we are here to experience and reconnect with our true selves, our authentic selves and until we do we cannot live or serve our true purpose.
Unfolding in Divine Time
As I write this post, I am six months away from my fiftieth birthday and can say from the deepest recesses of my truth that I am unfolding in Divine time and love what I am discovering under each layer I bravely peel back. Yes, even after 25 years of inner work, I am still unfolding, digging deeper, peeling off layers of untruth’s and false fears and the masks they hide behind. Getting back to our authentic self is a spiraling journey – there is no ‘there’ because with each layer we release offers us more insights, lessons and opportunities for healing. As painful or challenging as a release can be I remind myself that with each one I am coming closer and closer to my essence, my truth, my authentic self.
Serving the World with our Authenticity
I want to circle back now to how I use the term when I’m discussing my business, beliefs and the feminine conscious business paradigm (FCBP) that I write and speak about. Many of us who embrace the principles of the FCBP believe deeply that until we, as individuals, do the inner work to remove our masks, heal our wounds, nurse our inner child and release our fears that we cannot fully step into our authentic true self and serve the world with our mission. The world is waiting for YOU to shine your unique light, share your Divine gifts and embrace the truth of who you are.
So as you can see, the word authenticity is much more than a hyped up buzz word to me. It represents what I aspire to, the truth of who I am, who I want the world to see and most importantly who I see when I look in the mirror. My beautiful, bold, vulnerable, loving, joyful authentic self!
Anne says
Excellent article on how to be authentic. I strongly believe when we are off balance in our lives our “soul radar” kicks in to give us messages . Your thoughts and body ,seem to reflect this conflict and it nags at you until it finally bubbles to the surface. Release those inner feelings for you are not living an authentic life ! Listening is the first key to moving forward on your personal journey. You know deep down what it will take to move you to inner bliss. Leave a job, say goodbye to a stressful marriage, tell a friend you can no longer hang out together. Those are a few simple examles , that limit who we really are when it comes to living the life we were meant to live. Trust is number two in my mind as to being authentic. Trust that you know what is best for you . Trust that right now you were meant to read these words. Trust that remaining stagnant will only limit your desires to achieve great things in life. Finally number three on my list is fears. The fear of the unknown is a killer in my book. What will happen if, what will I do without my spouse’s salary to live on, what will people think if……….As you become authentic those fears seem to lift like a gentle breeze on a summer day. They get released , and if you stay true to who you are, they never return. If you work on becoming truly authentic, then there is nothing in life you can not achieve ..
LindaJoy says
Anne
Love your term “soul radar’ as I believe we all have an internal G.P.S. that will lead us to a life of love, bliss and authenticity. As you shared it’s in our journey of learning to trust, honor and follow this radar that allows us to live authentically. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Kathy Gabriel says
The word ‘authentic’ is indeed a powerful one. It takes some courage to begin to confront one’s authenticity because there is so much clutter that has been taken on over the years … it feels like going against the grain; what is ‘acceptable’.
I have adopted the word ‘unscripted’ as part of my path to experiencing and expressing myself authentically. For me that means following a voice that only I can hear. … it whispers and I take the ‘risk’ of trusting that voice. The script comes quietly to and through me. It is not ego-generated. I know when I’ve made a good choice/decision. Many difficult inner transformations have occurred.
Who I am truly, is seeking me and my task is to release engrained scripts and commit to listen, trust and follow. I am walking a strange, yet familiar trail, with a guide that takes many forms. This guide also seems to know what I need and when.
… and so I follow, which sometimes feels like leading! When I look back, I see clearly that I am not who I was a few years ago. and while former experiences have been part of the preparation for unfolding, I’m certain that there’s much more to come.
There is indeed a buzz, but not in the sense that it is normally understood.
LindaJoy says
Kathy
Beautiful. I love your soul-inspired choice of terms – “unscripted”. Your description of it truly spoke to me. We all have ‘engrained scripts’ we need to release (all part of life’s journey) and it is in doing that inner work that we come back to the truth of who we are. When we get quiet and go within that’s when we can truly bring ourselves to every relationship we have personally and professionally.
Stuart Young says
Another lovely article Linda. For me authenticity is about trust. When I was stuck in the rat race I was denying my creativity. In effect, I didn’t trust myself. The self that was keeping me in the rat race. When I extricated myself, I set myself free, I immersed myself in creating and I renewed that lost trust. When I consider if another person is being authentic I ask: ‘Do I trust them?’ The answer to that leads me to decide whether they are part of my life or not. Thanks for the thought provoking post. 🙂
LindaJoy says
So true Stuart that when we learn to honor and trust ourselves through our inner wisdom and take action on the nudges we receive we begin to live more authentically as it seems you’ve discovered. Congrats on reconnecting with your creativity! Enjoy the journey.
Nadia says
Linda, I love that this shift has taken place. I love the new paradigm and how we are doing business . I love that all of me is okay. The good, the bad, the ugly. I am okay. I am human and forever evolving into a better version of me. Thank you for being wonderful.
Tina says
Unfolding in divine time… I love that Linda! Great article. Being true to our Self and expressing our divinity in the way unique to each of us… letting those pretences go is like uncovering a sparkling diamond that was there all along. Letting our light shine and sparkle;) Joyful blessings,Tina
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) says
Linda, how beautiful. True and resonant. As you know, I totally get this bit: “the sacred and scary journey back to myself.”
So grateful for you!
xoxox
Sue
Deanna Heiliger says
Linda, this is a beautiful and “Authentic” post! 🙂 I agree that it has become a buzzword, but I also believe that there is so much truth to peeling back the masks of fear and social expectations to reveal our true selves. This is a lifetime journey, but it only gets sweeter as the years go by!
Karen says
Dear Linda,
I truly believe every word of this. I was so afraid to be honest about my insecurities but as I grew to let go of those beliefs I connected with really authentic people. I feel so honored and grateful to be living my dream life and inspiring other to live theirs. I understand we have a limited time in this physical form and I live life to the fullest every moment. Thank you for sharing this is a great reminder when I get scared. Bless you and yours!!!
Sheila Callaham says
I believe authenticity is so important that it’s our life purpose! Yes, I firmly believe that we’re placed here in this space to learn the importance of turning inward to find inner voice, our inner wisdom, our inner truth. Wonderful post, Linda! Thanks for all you do!
Andrea says
I love the term “sacred and scary journey.” Those seem to be the ones with the greatest rewards.
Cali says
LOVE this post Linda on Authenticity. I am so grateful for all that has taken place in my life the last few years as it brought me to this beautiful place – discovering my authentic self. Such a blessing. I also love what you wrote about Divine Timing…BIG believer that everything happens precisely when it is supposed to.
Kellie says
I’ve been really paying a lot of attention to my own real experience. What makes me grow, change, burst with joy, and what hurts me. Bottom line, I’ve stopped making everything so hard. I realized when you are truly real with yourself and the world around you, things are so much happier and easier. I think authenticity is surrender…
LindaJoy says
Kellie
YES! YES! YES! It took me many years to see that when we ‘surrender’ to what is (life, situations, pain, grief, transition) and allow our heart to lead the way we can experience joy, love, happiness, EVEN in the midst of chaos. It truly is about surrendering, releasing and staying in gratitude….