Many conversations of late about authenticity. What I have learned is that the journey is so much easier when you live an authentic life. When you are honest with yourself and others, when you are able to be vulnerable, and when you consistently own your choices and actions, you are able to create stronger connections with those around you. You are able to build the community you seek. You have a legion of angels - earthbound, and heavenly - on your side. Making the choice to spare others from the truth for their own good not only denies you the opportunity to be authentic, but it denies others the opportunity to have a genuine reaction - and, possibly, reacting much differently than you have already determined they would. It is hard to be vulnerable - particularly when we have not acted with integrity - and we often fear others reactions, and judgments. Yet, when we live in truth, those moments seem to happen less and less, because by being authentic, you learn how to make more and more choices that you wouldnt feel ashamed or afraid to own. The truth always - ALWAYS - comes out in the end. When you have lied, or omitted the truth from someone whom you were trying to protect, or whose approval you were seeking, as the truth reveals itself, so does the betrayal. This affects their ability to trust in you, and sometimes, affects their desire to even continue having a relationship with you. The irony, of course, is that we are often counseled by friends or families to shield others from our wrongdoings. We dont want to worry her, or He just wouldnt understand. In effect, we learn from these very loved ones not only to fear others judgment, but theirs as well. We think, Well, if she wouldnt want Uncle Bud to know, then I guess I probably shouldnt tell her about this other stuff going on. We are coached by our families and communities to NOT be authentic to SOME people..... for their own good. But it doesnt work that way. If you choose to live your life in fear of others reactions and judgments, the WHO will change all the time... and even the people who believe they are in the inner circle, and you wouldnt be disloyal or dishonest to them, come to discover that yes, indeed, you would.... if you felt it would spare them discomfort. We can learn a lot from other peoples reactions. Their disappointments may reveal great insight. Their own lessons learned might be the very wisdom we needed to hear. But we can only garner these when we have been vulnerable, and humbled ourselves to truth. Also.... when you live an authentic life, your job is to be honest and in integrity - it is not to shoulder other peoples judgments. Their judgments are their own job to contend with. By being honest, you have already accepted accountability for your actions, and are on the path to your own healing and growth. We all continue to err and make mistakes - sometimes, horrible, awful choices, which we may regret for a very long time - but to carry those with us in secrecy, rather than experience the liberation of truth, weighs upon our souls, our emotions, and even manifests physically in illness and dis-ease. It creates blockages and walls, which limit our ability to connect with others in deep and genuine ways. It prevents us from experiencing the true bliss and joy which life has to offer us. Admitting our faults and errors is a temporary hardship, of embarrassment or shame. Harboring them is a long-term, even life-long, burden.... which is only ever fully released when the truth is finally told. The truth will always set you free. Indeed.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 14:54:24 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015