Living an Authentic Life
The question was presented to me recently: “Am I living authentically in this very moment?”
My mind began instantly to do what minds do - think - searching for my definition of authentic to judge and determine if I am. I looked up the word authentic and gave myself a gold star because my definition was nearly identical to Webster’s.
Authentic: not false or copied; genuine, real; reliable; trustworthy.
Within moments that inner voice, the gloom and doom critic, chimed in with all the reasons and all the ways I could not possibly be living authentically; i.e. I SAID I was going to walk across the country and I haven't yet. See how that inner judge is so ready to jump on me.
Is it true that without absolute perfection one cannot live authentically?
This cannot be true. We are perfect spiritual beings living an imperfect human experience. For me, living authentically in this very moment means an awareness of my inherent perfection…a “knowing” that allows me to be consciously aware of this moment. It is not listening to a rehearsal of all the past moments and the judging that accompanies that particular song and dance. Being authentic, not perfect, in this moment means I feel the early summer breeze blowing all around me as I sit on the dock, I hear the birds nearby and see the branches move with the wind. I am aware of my breathing.
In this moment I am living authentically.
In this moment I am alive to life.
My mind began instantly to do what minds do - think - searching for my definition of authentic to judge and determine if I am. I looked up the word authentic and gave myself a gold star because my definition was nearly identical to Webster’s.
Authentic: not false or copied; genuine, real; reliable; trustworthy.
Within moments that inner voice, the gloom and doom critic, chimed in with all the reasons and all the ways I could not possibly be living authentically; i.e. I SAID I was going to walk across the country and I haven't yet. See how that inner judge is so ready to jump on me.
Is it true that without absolute perfection one cannot live authentically?
This cannot be true. We are perfect spiritual beings living an imperfect human experience. For me, living authentically in this very moment means an awareness of my inherent perfection…a “knowing” that allows me to be consciously aware of this moment. It is not listening to a rehearsal of all the past moments and the judging that accompanies that particular song and dance. Being authentic, not perfect, in this moment means I feel the early summer breeze blowing all around me as I sit on the dock, I hear the birds nearby and see the branches move with the wind. I am aware of my breathing.
In this moment I am living authentically.
In this moment I am alive to life.
Florida wildflowers
Comments
Post a Comment