Authenticity is talked about a lot these days. Everyone wants to be seen as more authentic and valued for their authenticity, but no-one really talks about what it actually means to be authentic. I am going to take a deep dive into what it actually means to be authentic and how to tell if someone is actually being authentic or just being a big phoney baloney!
First and foremost, authentic people do not try hard to be likable. Now that doesn't mean that they are aloof assholes either, but they aren't that worried about ruffling a few feathers when it comes to standing up for what is right, just or fair. They embrace making right choices and they don't crave attention or have ulterior motives when they do this, they have a 'can do' and 'will do' attitude that attracts others to them and makes them highly reliable.
Authentic people are also good a reserving judgement on others and themselves. They accept their own flaws and faults, and those of the people around them. They will try hard to see the world through other peoples eyes and are open-minded individuals who can meet people where they are at. They are often excellent listeners and can usually see the positive and negative aspects in people and situations.
An authentic person is generally unapologetic about expressing their thoughts. Followers worry that they may lose face of favour if they speak up about what they really think, a genuine person will express their thoughts and opinions without worrying if they wont be celebrated for it. They are not trying to garner attention or brownie points and they would never be cruel, angry or derogatory in the way that they express themselves, so they have no need to worry about how they will be interpreted. An authentic person would never express their thoughts to attack, manipulate or offend someone, they have good character and a strong sense of integrity.
One of the other things that you will see in people of high integrity is the ability to self reflect. You have to look inside to be a genuine and authentic. Authentic people will have fewer self doubts and experience less anxiety because they are regularly looking inside and re-evaluating the landscape of their lives. The own their choices and decisions and can stand behind their ideas and thoughts. An authentic person will not go off half cocked or shoot from the hip, they think before they act and consider the outcomes before they approach.
Authentic people are generous in spirit. They give to others in many ways. Through resources, time and information, they willingly share in and of themselves as much as they can and enjoy doing so. They love to entertain and spoil the people they love, and they will always share whatever they have access to with others around them. They are never secretive or mean and will not need to take credit for things that they may have been involved in launching. They like to see other succeed as much as themselves and will always bolster the people around them as much as they can.
And I know that I have covered the topic of transparency before, but authentic people are transparent, honest and empathetic. You do not need to worry about an authentic person trying to trick you, deceive you or discredit you, this not something that an authentic person would ever embark upon. Authentic people are also not arrogant or self-satisfied and they can handle criticism and confrontation with decorum and calm. They understand that things are not always about them and can step back without having to belittle or berate someone behind their back. They welcome open conversation and honest exchanges.
It is pretty easy to spot a person who isn't really authentic. Obviously they will lack many of the qualities listed above, but they will also have a deep need to be accepted and/or revered in their lives. This will make them insecure, quick to anger and judge others and generally quite competitive. They will be problem finders, energy drainers, constant complainers and negative Nancy's. You will not feel safe with a person who is not authentic and you will definitely struggle to get to know them on a deeper level because they may often be haughty, aggressive, secretive, sallow or dismissive.
In short, for authentic people, the integrity, reliability and transparency of their character is always going to be more important than any monetary or social status gain. They are never in it for the glory. They are focused on their goals and willingly help others to reach theirs whenever they can. They listen when others speak instead of constantly offering their judgements and opinions. They can express genuine feelings and thoughts without hurting others, they are who they are and would not have it be any other way. They are just great people to have in your life and I hope that you have some rocking authentic people in your world to help you to shine brighter every day and grow more authentic in yourself every day.
First and foremost, authentic people do not try hard to be likable. Now that doesn't mean that they are aloof assholes either, but they aren't that worried about ruffling a few feathers when it comes to standing up for what is right, just or fair. They embrace making right choices and they don't crave attention or have ulterior motives when they do this, they have a 'can do' and 'will do' attitude that attracts others to them and makes them highly reliable.
Authentic people are also good a reserving judgement on others and themselves. They accept their own flaws and faults, and those of the people around them. They will try hard to see the world through other peoples eyes and are open-minded individuals who can meet people where they are at. They are often excellent listeners and can usually see the positive and negative aspects in people and situations.
An authentic person is generally unapologetic about expressing their thoughts. Followers worry that they may lose face of favour if they speak up about what they really think, a genuine person will express their thoughts and opinions without worrying if they wont be celebrated for it. They are not trying to garner attention or brownie points and they would never be cruel, angry or derogatory in the way that they express themselves, so they have no need to worry about how they will be interpreted. An authentic person would never express their thoughts to attack, manipulate or offend someone, they have good character and a strong sense of integrity.
One of the other things that you will see in people of high integrity is the ability to self reflect. You have to look inside to be a genuine and authentic. Authentic people will have fewer self doubts and experience less anxiety because they are regularly looking inside and re-evaluating the landscape of their lives. The own their choices and decisions and can stand behind their ideas and thoughts. An authentic person will not go off half cocked or shoot from the hip, they think before they act and consider the outcomes before they approach.
Authentic people are generous in spirit. They give to others in many ways. Through resources, time and information, they willingly share in and of themselves as much as they can and enjoy doing so. They love to entertain and spoil the people they love, and they will always share whatever they have access to with others around them. They are never secretive or mean and will not need to take credit for things that they may have been involved in launching. They like to see other succeed as much as themselves and will always bolster the people around them as much as they can.
And I know that I have covered the topic of transparency before, but authentic people are transparent, honest and empathetic. You do not need to worry about an authentic person trying to trick you, deceive you or discredit you, this not something that an authentic person would ever embark upon. Authentic people are also not arrogant or self-satisfied and they can handle criticism and confrontation with decorum and calm. They understand that things are not always about them and can step back without having to belittle or berate someone behind their back. They welcome open conversation and honest exchanges.
It is pretty easy to spot a person who isn't really authentic. Obviously they will lack many of the qualities listed above, but they will also have a deep need to be accepted and/or revered in their lives. This will make them insecure, quick to anger and judge others and generally quite competitive. They will be problem finders, energy drainers, constant complainers and negative Nancy's. You will not feel safe with a person who is not authentic and you will definitely struggle to get to know them on a deeper level because they may often be haughty, aggressive, secretive, sallow or dismissive.
In short, for authentic people, the integrity, reliability and transparency of their character is always going to be more important than any monetary or social status gain. They are never in it for the glory. They are focused on their goals and willingly help others to reach theirs whenever they can. They listen when others speak instead of constantly offering their judgements and opinions. They can express genuine feelings and thoughts without hurting others, they are who they are and would not have it be any other way. They are just great people to have in your life and I hope that you have some rocking authentic people in your world to help you to shine brighter every day and grow more authentic in yourself every day.
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
Release Date: 2022
Rating: M
Running Time: 125 mins
An American mystery, drama/romance, based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Delia Owens. I was a huge fan of the book and was very much looking forward to seeing how director Olivia Newman was going to interpret the material, and although admittedly this isn't as good as the novel (as films generally are not) this was still an engaging and genuinely touching story involving a love triangle and an unresolved murder.
Abandoned wildling girl Kya has spent her entire life in the North Carolina marshlands. Now an adult and a naturalist, she is still harshly ostracized by her community and forced to manage alone. She becomes the prime suspect in a murder case when a popular local quarterback turns up dead after secret colluding with her in the wilds.
Daisy Edgar -Jones is terrific as the headstrong, independent spirit Kya; she does an amazing job of embodying all of the innocence, intelligence and beauty of Kya's character perfectly, and the rest of the cast deliver well upon the premise of the story as well. Sure, Where the Crawdads Sing is a bit cheesy and melodramatic at times, and that's probably why critics slammed it as hard as they did, but it is also endearing and delivers just enough of the right notes to make it a winner in my books.
FINAL SAY: Then there was the small matter of surviving.
3 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2022
Rating: M
Running Time: 125 mins
An American mystery, drama/romance, based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Delia Owens. I was a huge fan of the book and was very much looking forward to seeing how director Olivia Newman was going to interpret the material, and although admittedly this isn't as good as the novel (as films generally are not) this was still an engaging and genuinely touching story involving a love triangle and an unresolved murder.
Abandoned wildling girl Kya has spent her entire life in the North Carolina marshlands. Now an adult and a naturalist, she is still harshly ostracized by her community and forced to manage alone. She becomes the prime suspect in a murder case when a popular local quarterback turns up dead after secret colluding with her in the wilds.
Daisy Edgar -Jones is terrific as the headstrong, independent spirit Kya; she does an amazing job of embodying all of the innocence, intelligence and beauty of Kya's character perfectly, and the rest of the cast deliver well upon the premise of the story as well. Sure, Where the Crawdads Sing is a bit cheesy and melodramatic at times, and that's probably why critics slammed it as hard as they did, but it is also endearing and delivers just enough of the right notes to make it a winner in my books.
FINAL SAY: Then there was the small matter of surviving.
3 Chilli Peppers
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