In today's world, the quest for authenticity and inner peace is more important than ever.
Recently, I’ve come to understand that the compulsion to be right only leads to unrest and conflict.
It creates unnecessary suffering in our relationships.
I will no longer fight to be right.
Instead, I choose peace.
When others disagree with me, judge me, or get upset with my perspective.
I will choose peace and view the reactions I feel as opportunities to let go of old behavior tendencies.
Awareness and letting go of old wounds is the best medicine for healing the soul.
Since studying energy healing and spirituality, I’ve connected to a deeper part of myself and awakened to my power.
The tricky part of this awakening is maintaining this newfound personal power without falling back into my old behavior habits.
At times, it feels like I’m living in two worlds: one where I live authentically, focusing on my spiritual growth and pursuing my dreams, and the other where I revert to being a people-pleaser at the cost of my authenticity and happiness.
This struggle for balance amid societal norms and expectations is a familiar challenge for many of us, making life more difficult than necessary.
In his book, The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz explains how society imposes its rules and beliefs on individuals from a young age.
As children, we’re not given the opportunity to choose our beliefs—we're born into societies that condition our parents, and in turn, us.
Many people live inauthentic lives. Pretending to be someone we're not can be restricting, frustrating, and exhausting.
Breaking free from inauthenticity and embracing honesty feels like a breath of fresh air.
There's no need to waste precious time pretending or fearing change for someone else's benefit.
Life is too short for that.
Sometimes all it takes is giving yourself permission to explore your desires and reflect on your happiness.
Slow down, think, and determine whether you are living an authentic life.
Give yourself the green light to ask, “Am I happy?”
Here are some common examples of living an inauthentic life:
1. Pretending to be happy: If you are unhappy in a relationship (marriage, friendship, career) but pretend everything is fine, you are inauthentic. This behavior, often driven by fear of conflict or not wanting to hurt someone's feelings, can damage your mental health and relationships.
2. Hiding true feelings: Being dishonest with your partner, friends, or coworkers about your thoughts and feelings is inauthentic. It usually occurs due to fear of judgment or rejection leading to resentment and misunderstandings.
3. Suppressing needs and desires: Constantly focusing on others' needs over your own is inauthentic. This may happen if you fear being perceived as selfish or don't want to upset someone. This can lead to feelings of resentment and frustration.
4. Pretending to be someone else: If you pretend to be someone you're not just to please others or fit in, you are being inauthentic. This behavior often arises from feeling inadequate or fearing rejection and can result in exhaustion and further dissatisfaction.
Embracing our authenticity isn’t just a personal thing, it empowers and liberates us all to be a free and peaceful society.
