Authenticity is about congruence between our deeper values and beliefs (i.e., a “true self”) and our actions.
via Chris Do, Twitter
Being authentic is hard when:
- We let other people dictate our actions.
- We let media consume all of our downtime.
- We let our ego control the thought processes of our minds.
Because we live in a world that is constantly pushing its influence on us from every angle, it can be hard to figure out what it is that we actually think.
And without that clarity of thought, of course our actions are going to be misaligned.
Being authentic is easier when:
- We reflect deeply on and identify our values and beliefs.
- We make space to process, organize, and remix the information we consume.
- We control our ego and use it mindfully to serve us (rather than the other way around).
Until we choose to put up boundaries to block outside influences, we will continue to get pushed around and act in ways that are misaligned, unnatural, and confusing even to ourselves.
Boundaries to the outside world are precisely what’s needed to process, organize, and remix. It’s precisely how we settle our mudded minds. It’s precisely how we quiet the ego so we can hear the whisper of our Self.
In short: being authentic is hard when you let the world tell you who you are. Being authentic is easier when you listen to your Self, decide who you want to be, and tell the world who you are.
And while the latter can challenging in its own respect, it will always be exponentially easier than living an inauthentic life.