A community isn’t built or befriended,
it’s connected by offering and accepting.
Community is affinity, identity, and kinship
that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions.
Wherever a community gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity.
Naturally Authentic
When we’re fully expressed in what we’re doing, talking about it comes naturally. The sounds of our engagement breathe through us. We lean into where we want to be. We’re not changed by who’s watching.
Here’s what LaurenMarie said . . .
I notice with myself that sometimes I am just happy to be excited about what I do and share that with people. I hope that they catch the excitement, too, but Iâm not hurt if they donât.
Other times, I am nervous about telling someone about what I do because of what they will think of me. I know this has to do with me, not them, but I wonder what about me determines those two completely different reactions. Iâll have to observe more closely next time. I definitely like the first way better!
Ari, I like what you said. That is very insightful. hehe, employing tactics to be authentic makes you exactly the opposite, doesnât it?
A successful and outstanding blogger said that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Authenticity has been one of my core values since I was a child. Over time I’ve realized there is price to paid for it. Are you willing to pay the price? I think the book Catcher in the Rye is all about this dilemma. No matter how hard Holden tried to be real… no matter how much he hated phonies… he was still phony. The price to paid is letting go of fear… letting go of control.
Finding the balance between what others want to hear and what we need to say takes both tact and commitment. While I used to think authenticity was a one sided issue(as long as I’m authentic then all is well), I’ve come to learn that the listening, the patience,…doing the work to fully hear the other: this allows the exchange to deepen to the level of the authentic.
I love the line – “Weâre not changed by whoâs watching.”
I grew up in a family of chameleons so not surprisingly, I’ve embraced “authenticity” as an adult. I couldn’t agree more that the more “practice” we put into trying to be “authentic” the further we push ourselves away from the goal!
“Do as I say, not as I do” has always struck a raw nerve with me. Maybe that’s why I feel so “connected” to this blog.
Yet another reason I ADORE blogs!!! It’s my belief that “authenticity” is hard to fake over the course of a couple of hundred blog posts!
Aww, Liz! What a way to make my day!
Steve, wise advice. Thank you. I’ve discovered that you will never truly have control unless you let go of the need to have it. It’s quite counter-intuitive, isn’t it? Fear is all too often something that drives us–I know it drives me, but I want to change that and make love what drives me. It’s hard work to change an underlying worldview like that!
Richard, wise advice, too! Fully hearing the other… I will work on that today. Thanks for the challenge!
Liz, thank you for the reminder to be who we are. Simply authentic!
And Liz, yesterday was my blog-iversary and I’d like to invite you back! Do join the SMILE party if you’d like to!
More details:
Thank you for a year of smile
Cheers,
Robert