Good Morning, Good Morning! It is hard to believe it is a week already since we’ve been together.  How has your week been?  What challenges and victories have you had this week? Are you feeling very grateful for anything?  It is important to take a moment here and there and reflect a bit. Life moves fast and when we don’t take the moment to anchor the time it slips like fine sand through our fingers.

Longing for An Authentic Life?

Do you long for an authentic life?  Have you been hiding behind elaborate masks and behind beautifully crafted garments?  Has it wearied you? What does having an authentic life even mean?  Practically, in an everyday sort of way, what does it look like?

Words Matter

 We often use words loosely and without really considering what they mean. Words can often become “fads”.  There is a tendency to throw words around carelessly without considering the full meaning inherent within the word and therefore its power in our lives. 

The word authentic just means real, genuine, not fake, verifiable, and original.  Authenticity then is just the act of being real, genuine, not fake, verifiable, and original.

But the word authenticity carries a lot more weight than the sum of the words that define it. Why?  Because our ability to be real, genuine, not fake, verifiable, and original is highly influenced by the culture around us. The word may be easily defined, but because of the pressures surrounding it, not so easily described or accomplished in a practical sense.

What About You?

Do you feel authentic? Are you living your authentic life?  How are you measuring that? If you are like me, you may find those questions difficult to answer.  The answer probably depends on the day, the circumstances and the people you are with.

We live in a society that cries out for authentic living but discourages the realness that comes with authenticity. We are encouraged to put out best foot forward, put our best pictures on social media, talk only about our accomplishments and deal with “the things we are working on” on our own time and in private. When asked “how are you?” we most often allow the question to barely graze us on a superficial level, responding “I’m good, fine, wonderful, all is well” without letting the question ever touch the deeper recesses of our thoughts and allowing a “real” answer.

 Authenticity for Me

The first step to true authentic living is to understand what authenticity means to you in a practical way.  For me authenticity means:

-the inside Laurie matches the outside Laurie at all times, no matter the setting, the circumstances or the people.  = REAL

-I say what I mean and I mean what I say. = GENUINE

– I am hones about who I am, how I feel and what I believe. = NOT FAKE

-I am consistent in my behaviours – across circumstances and people. = VERIFIABLE

-I want to be the unique me I have been created to be – I’m not trying to be someone else or live someone else’s life. = ORIGINAL

Authenticity for You

What does authenticity mean to you?  Take some time to sit and think about it and write it out. Click the download button below for a worksheet to write out your thoughts.

This is Authenticity!

There was a time when I spent all my time and energy crafting an elaborate “authentic” front that covered up the real, genuine, original me. It was exhausting and caused me great anxiety and disconnect within myself and with others. I have since made the decision to really get to know the inside Laurie better so that I can accurately reflect her on the outside. I haven’t “arrived” yet, but I’m working on it. That is authenticity!

Are you ready to take on the journey to authentic living?  Stick with me, I’ve already seen some of the scenery and I can promise you the ride will be amazing!

If you are interested in some more Devotional reading, head over to my Facebook Page where you will find a Weekly Devotion early every Monday morning. Click the button below to do directly to the Weekly Devotions!

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

laurie