AUTHENTICITY

We often do not say or do something because we are worried about how it’ll be perceived? For most of us, me included, this happens many a times. .


We live in a culture that is starving for perfectness or Genuineness. We want our leaders, our family members, our friends, and everyone else we interact with to tell us the truth and to be themselves. Most important thing is that we want to have the personal freedom and confidence to say, do, and be who we really are, without worrying so much about how we appear to others and what they might think or say about us.



Sadly, however, even though we may say we want to live in a way that is true to our deepest beliefs, and desires; most of us don’t .It is not that easy also. We’ve been taught by our parents, teachers, friends, politicians (!!!), the media, and others, that it’s more important to be liked than it is to be who we truly are. In addition, many of us assume that who we are is not good enough and therefore we’re constantly trying to change ourselves, or to act like others who we think are better than us.



However, as the famous author and poet Oscar Wilde so brilliantly stated, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”
What it really means to be authentic.

It is about enjoying a new sense of freedom to be who we really are (ourselves), natural and without a mask in our relationships, our work, and our life. It takes courage, commitment, and depth to look within ourselves .I think it is the most difficult thing to tell the whole truth even when we don’t want to(!!), to be vulnerable(capability of healing the wounds), Admit, own, and share our true thoughts, feelings, desires, insecurities, passions, embarrassment, dreams, and more.

However, being open and real about all of these things (and more) is what it means to be authentic in life.



Utilize the power of authenticity in your life as a way to enhance your relationships, increase your fulfillment, and empower yourself(to give moral or physical power to yourself), here are 5 keys:

1) Know Yourself – Make a commitment to your own personal growth. Discover more of who you are. And, seek out the honest feedback and guidance of others.


2) Transform Your Fear – There’s nothing wrong with having fear (kyunki dar ke aage jeet hai).It’s the resistance and denial (to refuse) of fear that is the real problem. When you express your fear, you have the ability to move through and transform it in a positive way. Taking action in the face of fear is courageous and empowering.


3) Express yourself – Have the courage to speak your truth boldly. Deal with conflicts directly. Express your emotions fully. Be real about what you think and how you feel. Give access to real freedom and power.


4) Be Bold – Live, speak, and act with courage, passion, and truth – even if it’s difficult or scary. Go for what you want in your work and in your life. And get back up when you fall down, which you will.


5) Celebrate Who You Are – Appreciate and honor who you are, what you do, and the gifts and talents that you have. Celebrating yourself is not about being arrogant. It’s an awareness of your own power and it’s the key to self confidence, fulfillment, and authenticity.Being your authentic self is not for the faint of heart, but once you’re willing to truly engage and do the work to become more real - your life, your work, and your relationships will be more exciting, meaningful, and fulfilling!