Authenticity

Authenticity is defined as “the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine”. When you look at yourself in the mirror each day, do you see a person looking back at you that is authentic, trustworthy, and genuine? If you do not, are you trying to be such a person? The world is full of charlatans, fakes, poseurs, and con men. It is an act of courage to be authentic. It has been my experience that people will forgive your mistakes, and tolerate your weaknesses, if they believe you are authentic, trustworthy, genuine, and real. No one admires a phony. This is why I write so much about knowing who you are and working daily to be the best version of who you are. I have become very good at spotting a “fake” and my BS detector is highly sensitive. I know Shakespeare said the whole world is a stage and we are all actors but you can’t act all the time. Sooner or later you have to wipe off the make-up, remove the masks, and change out of your costume. Authentic people aren’t perfect. They have as many faults as anyone. What makes them different is their transparency, openness, and honesty. They are unpretentious and self-deprecating. They don’t take themselves too seriously and they refuse to see themselves as special or better than anyone else. We are all works in progress. We all have aspects of ourselves that need some work. Each of us, however, makes a unique contribution to the world. We are where we are for a reason. Be who you are, warts and all, but be real. Always tell the truth, be genuine, learn from your mistakes, and practice authenticity every day.