Authenticity

Hey Steemers!

I want to use this post to delve into living authentically. I believe that this entails becoming fluent in the language of our bodies, minds, and souls, and acting in a way that honors each of these.

Within any culture, there are certain ways of existing- body types, clothing styles, personality traits- that are held as the golden standard. They are such potent influences that people mold themselves into alignment. The thing is this: these standards CHANGE. They are unstoppable moving targets, always one step ahead of where people actually ARE. It makes us feel inadequate in the moment, as if our present selves are only vehicles to drive us toward some idealized future. It instills anxiety, because not reaching this future would certainly mean failure.

The other thing about golden standards is that they are arbitrary. Who is to say that diamonds glitter brighter than gold, or that the glory of the Grand Canyon pales in comparison to Machu Picchu? Standards say nothing about the inherent value of our world and all that inhabits it. They cannot touch the innate beauty of existence; they don't even come close.

And if these things are true, then why not just live our individual truths? Why not look internally and use intuition to guide our choices? I have found that the more I do so, the more comfortable I feel in this life, as myself. I have never felt sustained satisfaction from fulfilling an external expectation. In the moment? Sure, because we receive validation when we meet certain criterion. This fades quickly, however, and all I am ever left with is my own opinion of myself.

Diversity is something to marvel at. It should put us in a state of wonder that there are 6 billion- something souls wandering this planet, doing and thinking things that we ourselves could never. THAT is magic. Cultivate your gifts, because I can guarantee that you have something that the rest of us are in need of. You have radical freedom of choice- consciously choose to live authentically and in awe of others' ability to do the same.