About 2-3 years ago I attended a gathering at a spiritual center here in Los Angeles. I couldn’t tell you what the topic of the meeting was that night. What I do remember ever so distinctly is the book I walked out of there with. Included in a pile of about 20 books folks were giving away, and one of the five books I picked up that evening, was Who Have You Come Here To Be? 101 Possibilities for Contemplation. Sometimes the best things in life really are free.
Every 1-2 pages of the book is devoted to a special adjective. For example,
I have come here to be visionary.
I have come here to be poised.
I have come here to be unique.
I have come here to be wonder-filled.
A section of the page gives detailed explanation about the adjective. Another section includes an affirmation and contemplative quote. Some of the adjectives even include action statements, providing readers suggestions on how to embody the words.
The first time I went through the book sequentially. This time I’m going through it randomly. On March 21st of this year, 2013, I flipped open the book and landed on Authenticity: "I have come here to be authentic. Underneath the thoughts, beliefs and judgments of the ego, your Authentic Self is ready to express right here and now. . . By letting go of who you think you are, by listening intently to the whisperings of your heart, your Authentic Self will shine through and the world will be a brighter place for it.”
One of my 2013 themes is Authenticity. (I’ve adopted annual themes en lieu of resolutions. Curious? I devoted an entire episode to this discussion To Hell with Resolutions!) As I reflected on this word, I bore in mind the ways in which I have and have not been authentic across the span of my lifetime. One of my greater examples of inauthenticity revolved around what I chose to explore professionally after graduating college.
I’ve always had the artistic-public-figure bug. As a child I began playing piano and alto saxophone (and performed a lot). I did public speaking competitions. Jumped at the chance to be an orator in an elementary school play. Sang in choir (and even had solos here and there). Started acting in junior high. . . and it only grew from there. I’ve added dance, voiceover, poetry, TV hosting and comedy performance (access my stand up set here) to the bag o’ tricks. Hands down, I am enormously tapped into my most Authentic Self when I am performing or public speaking. It’s as if time stops: That’s how so in the moment I am.
Inauthenticity came into the picture because I didn’t start pursuing my authentic choice(s) professionally until 5 years after graduating college. That’s when I got my first talent agent, booked a commercial, taught dance, ended up in a few dance/fitness videos and explored motivational speaking and coaching. Before then I listened to too many skewed internal and external messages. Maybe you’ve heard a few of them: Be practical. Get a real job. You’re not good enough. You’re not pretty enough. Only the fortunate few can do that.
I invite you to take to heart the words in Who Have You Come Here To Be? “If your Authentic Self seems somehow distant, make time to delve into the depths of your being and meet yourself.”
Today’s episode is about unleashing our true selves. And if you think you’re already pretty authentic, I challenge you to ask yourself how you can be even more authentic. As the old adage goes, If we’re not growing, we’re dying.
You might be reading this and have NO CLUE how to dive into yourself. What does that even mean? For me, it’s about getting past the commotion of the day to the quiet inner essence, which is often shrouded with mind chatter. I stay aware of, or actively find, those pockets in my day where I can just PAUSE amidst the flurry of activity. I get still. Literally. I stop whatever I’m doing and I check in with my intuition, asking “what’s next?” or “what do I do now?” Then I listen for the voice of guidance. Sometimes I receive an immediate response. Many times I don’t. But I trust that the answer always comes. And I know it has arrived because there’s no wishy washyness around the decision to act. I just know what needs to happen next. Then I go do it.
For more tips on tapping into your True Self, dive into my episode published June 24th - How do you know whom to trust?
Whichever end of the authenticity spectrum you fall, how can you be just a little more you this week?
Mindset: I can’t do what I really want to do - socially, personally, spiritually, intellectually and definitely not professionally.
Mindshift: I invite myself to just do me, even if that means taking baby steps. To my own self I will always be true.
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