Have you ever been accused of being inauthentic?
I have certainly have! In fact, several times. I have been labeled as insincere and fake, uncaring, and self-centered, and most recently, pretending to be someone that I am not. Ouch! A trauma trigger that used to create an internal battle between staying true to who I am and conforming to other's expectations of who I "should be".
I received a very passive aggressive email from a colleague who I had deeply respected, only to discover that the feeling.... was not mutual. The email started out by congratulating me on my success then drastically pivoted to accusations of copying others to build my success and pretending to be someone that I am not. She went to say how sincerely happy she was to see that I was finally beginning to acknowledge my own light and then in the next breath (I am paraphrasing here) she hoped that I had the integrity to uphold it.
I am not going lie, at first, her words shocked and disturbed me. I spiraled for a moment. Questioned myself, reflecting on what I had been doing, and almost fell into the trap of believing her opinion of me. I knew the truth:
- She didn't truly know me; she was merely passing judgment and drawing comparisons based on a limited perception of who I am. A superficial assessment of me that was filtered through preconceived notions and biases- her wounding, a reflection of her own limitations and predispositions, rather than a true reflection of who I am at my core.
- Moreover, I have cultivated a profound connection with the divine, drawing strength and guidance from my higher power. I channel this wisdom into the various aspects of my work, expressing it through my unique lens. We all tap into the same universal source, and as a result, there may be similarities in the words we use, the knowledge we impart, and the wisdom we share. And besides, the universe does not uphold what is false, or fraudulent.
- And the most important thing, I've done the deep, ugly work to nurture an inner spiritual relationship that breeds worthiness and wisdom. I have confronted the shadows within me, unearthing layers of my true self, embracing both the light and the darkness within. I have unlocked a reservoir of insights, compassion, and clarity through my connection to the unseen world that enriches my existence and empowers me to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience that has greatly contributed to my success.
I stopped the B.S. spiral.
I can tell you based on my own experiences, and my years of work as an elite empowerment coach and revered mentor, breaking through the barriers that hold us back, especially the expectations, judgements, and opinions of others that otherwise prevent us from being our true self is immeasurably freeing.
I'd like to leave you with this.....
Authenticity is an elusive quality, something deeply personal and profoundly felt within each of us. No one can define whether we are authentic or not, only we can. It is a sensation that resonates from within, a silent dialogue between ourselves and our higher power.
To be authentic is to be real, sincerely raw, and crystalline in our essence. It is to embrace our uniqueness despite the labels and expectations imposed upon us - whether we are deemed too spiritual, too logical, too weird, or too much of anything. It takes courage to step away from the molds society casts for us, to defy the norms and embrace our true selves unapologetically.
Yes, may still find ourselves at odds with the expectations of others, feeling like misfits in a world that thrives on conformity. Yet, it is in this rebellion against societal norms that we truly discover our power and light.
To be authentic is magnetic, it invites the forces of the universe to rally in support of us, to align with our true purpose and passions. It is a path less traveled, fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but one that ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and enriched existence.
I truly believe that embracing our authenticity is not just a choice but a sacred responsibility - to ourselves, to our higher power, and to the world around us.