Radical Authenticity as a Path to Well-Being

We are living through unprecedented times in all areas of the world. Darkness seems to be floating to the surface everywhere it can and we are being forced to try and understand it; or more so, understand what it needs from us. Individually, interpersonally, and collectively we are being given the chance to confront the foundations of what keeps us in fear or in any level of dis-ease. Where it manifests as a challenge and where we can also choose to see this as an opportunity for personal growth! Life as we know it is changing radically, and what could possibly be more radical than absolute authenticity?

I largely believe that this is what the new age calls for. Being radically you.

What brings us joy and what do we have to share with the world? What questions do you have and what role do you play as a world citizen?

There are ways to make cliché offhanded comments about the idea of “just being yourself”, and I believe that while these sayings remind us that authenticity is a virtue, they can at times do us a disservice. When we offhandedly say things that we think we are supposed to think, we rob ourselves and our loved ones from really looking at the heart of the matter. We may find it easy to repeat shallow sayings to get us through tough times, but what we need is to find wholeness in ourselves so that we may open doors we didn’t see before! I strongly believe that this is what comes from real authenticity! If we allow for ourselves to open communication with others (out of fear or not) we also honor them by tearing down walls that continue to separate us. It has been my experience that when I have chosen to acknowledge and bring up the reservations and frustrations I am having with others, that it lends to a stronger foundation upon which the rest of our relationship can stand on. To be kind but to be honest, I have opened my heart to friends and family expressing what my reactions have been to a certain situation and then we were able to actively move forward knowing that if an issue lies somewhere that it will be brought up. This helps to establish a real and certified bond that is on both sides! How cool is that?

Boundaries are the other side of this very important lesson and while privacy and kindness are ultimately important to wellbeing, a sort of give and take gets to be established where we choose. Boundaries come in every possible shape and color, and what’s even better is that they are there to suit our needs in order to really integrate depth into a relationship. Any kind of relationship. We must give ourselves the chance to understand where we are separate from others, but also where we get to share our intimacies and ultimately our vulnerability. Brene Brown has a fantastic Ted Talk on the power of Vulnerability stating that authenticity from a place of worthiness is crucial to being able to really live our lives genuinely. May we find it in our hearts to know that we are worthy of being heard and that we can express our feelings and not be put down or rejected.

It is often out of avoidance that we choose dishonesty; in one way or another. Dishonesty can be as simple as telling someone you’re “fine” while you are actually preoccupied by something that they may have said to you. To speak out of convenience is often a decision we make so as to avoid making “something out of nothing”, but other times it can make a world of difference if you allow for honest communication amongst even difficult situations. Boundaries and perceived confrontation are a very personal matter that change with every person; however, one common trait shared by most everyone is the desire to feel heard, seen, and honestly interacted with. Confrontation does not always have to be a cruel, uncomfortable thing. It could be the most healing, compassionate act you may do in some situations!

Let’s just be real! Truly. Let us open our eyes and look straight ahead. Let us open our mouths and consciously choose to speak our truth. To know that you are bringing your heart to the table of your community to be seen and heard and held. May we hold each other’s hearts as tenderly as we hold our own and may we choose to be kind, but to be real.

This is our future and our present. Our gift to the world!