Keeping it Real

Posts Tagged ‘Authenticity’

Halloween marks an interesting time every year when kids of all ages (even us 30/40-somethings) dress up, wear masks and makeup, and conceal their true selves all in the name of fun… and to get boat loads of candy, of course!

I would argue that many of us wear masks every single day… to conceal fears or shortcomings, to reinforce an excuse or to convince those around us, or even ourselves, that we are something or someone we are not.

I write about being authentic a lot… I believe I’m putting my authentic self into everything I write for this blog. One individual I follow on Twitter initiated an interesting dialog with me shortly after I sent out a tweet about being authentic.  The entire dialog can be summed up in one tweet… 

“REVEALING authenticity is like removing layers from a “mask”.  Any attempt to CREATE authenticity just adds another layer.”
~ Carl Ingalls (Follow Carl on Twitter at @Carl_Ingalls)

Carl’s tweet sums up the true means to presenting your real self… the authentic you.  Peel off your masks and present the authentic you in all you think and in all you do.  Resist hiding behind excuses or perceived barriers…

“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.”
~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Have a safe and happy halloween… 

I would be honored if you chose to leave a comment.

Regards,
Darren

I recently asked a peer group, ”What is the most important aspect of the life you are living right now?” 

The answers I received were as diverse as the people I was sitting with. They varied from children to parents, pets to material possessions, a big promotion to employers, employees, and friends.  Not one person in the room answered, “ME”!

Is it selfish to believe that, above all, you should be conscious to YOUR needs above all others and believe that YOU are the most important aspect of the life you are living?

We are often encouraged, whether by literature or media or friendly advice, to be there for those we love and the people and things we value.  Sure, it’s important that your family and friends are important aspects of your life but I would argue that if being present for them is at the expense of your own health and well-being, that you are doing yourself and your friends and family a disservice.

You will be better prepared and able to be available for those aspects of your life you consider important - kids, parents, family, friends, employment, business, or a significant other - if you first acknowledge and aspire towards achieving YOUR happiness and are firmly on the path to achieving YOUR dreams, YOUR SUCCESS – no matter how success is defined for you.  If you are able to present your authentic self in all that you do, something that can only be done if you are consciuous to YOUR needs, mentally and physically, your loved ones and, in fact, YOU will benefit greatly.

Here are some great tips for being present for yourself…

• Give a toast to you… Make a list of all the things you love about yourself… don’t just think of a few things and then move on to the next point, do it!  If you need help, ask a few friends to tell you of the qualities they love about you.
• Avoid the negative hits to self worth… Avoid sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. If you sit around thinking about all the things that make you feel bad or talking about it to anyone who will listen, it will make you feel worse.  Sure, you can acknowledge that there are things that make you feel bad but then focus on what you are grateful for in life.
• Eat better and stay active… Living healthier today than you did yesterday, and making that a goal for every morning when you wake up, is something that will improve you both physically and mentally.
• What do you love to do?  Make a list of the things you love to do and then do them!  Does that seem simple?  It is.
• Identify the learning opportunities… Every challenge in life is an opportunity to learn and better yourself.  This self betterment is what, when faced with challenges today, you should look forward to identifying and embracing. 
• Be happy… Your happiness is a choice… YOUR CHOICE!  Choose happiness when you wake up in the morning.  Approach each day as the gift that it is… with the enthusiasm and anticipation of a child on Christmas morning waiting to open that present from Santa.
• Listen to your body… One’s body sends many messages throughout the day.  When it’s time to eat, you’re hungry.  When it’s time to rest, you’re tired.  When it’s time to relax, put the damn cellular phone down and relax.  Be present for YOU!  You will find that handling the day’s anxieties and stresses becomes that much easier when you listen to the messages your body is sending you.

So, consider yourself the most important aspect of your life… it is not selfish.

I welcome your input on this… Comment now, and, as always, opposing viewpoints are always welcome at Keeping it Real.

Regards,
Darren Sproat