Authentic!

I had at least three different conversations last week that included some aspect of, "What does it mean to be authentic?"  That seems like a great question, so of course it's made its way into our message this week!  

What does it mean to be Authentic?

It means to be true to my unique self with all of my strengths, gifts, and challenges. It's about accepting myself for who I am with grace and honesty.  It is also a willingness to allow others to be their unique selves with all of their strengths, gifts, and challenges. Being Authentic recognizes that I am designed in a unique way and that is not the same way that others are designed.  So being Authentic means I give permission for others to see and approach the world differently than me. 

To be Authentic means I get to be me, and I also create room for you to be you!

What doesn't it mean to be Authentic?

It's not an excuse for bad behavior or an unwillingness to grow. Knowing who I am and working to understand who you are takes into consideration that we are also dynamic people who are on a journey of growth (hopefully).  As a result, I don't get to use being Authentic as some kind of excuse for poor behavior.

Several years ago, I was part of a group that included an elderly man who was often rude and mean.  When he was confronted with that behavior he responded by saying that was just the way he was made.  He used "I'm just being Authentic" as an excuse to act poorly and treat people with great unkindness.  That's not real Authenticity because to be truly Authentic means we know we are all a dynamic work in progress.

To be Authentic means we don't use Authenticity as an excuse for bad behavior and an unwillingness to grow and change.

In what ways are you doing your best to be Authentic? Can you be gracefully honest about your strengths, gifts, and challenges?  Are you making room for others to be their Authentic selves too? Are there certain situations or relationships that temp you to use Authenticity as an excuse for poor behavior and a lack of growth? How could you approach those circumstances with a healthy sense of being Authentic?

Here's to being Authentic with ourselves and others this week!

Be Well,

Stephen

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