What better time could there be to consider the topic of “authenticity” than at the New Moon of Leo when we are able to find the courage to be ourselves?
Do you consider yourself the “author” of your life: if not, then you may not bet living authentically? That is, you may be living the life your family, or husband/wife, or your boss thinks you should but you are not living true to your own inner prompting.
There are several ways this could show up. Have you ever said “yes” when you really didn’t want to do something for fear the other person would think badly about you? When you shop for clothes, are you worried about whether it is a style that is acceptable to your friends? Do you avoid starting a conversation with a stranger because you are unsure if what you say would be welcome? Worry about what others think prevents us from living authentically, i.e. from being ourselves.
Don’t you realize that you are a totally unique individual? Since no one has ever had all the life experiences you have or expressed all the talents you do or looked out of your eyes with your point-of-view, there is no one who has any right to judge you. That’s right, no one has the ability to really know you completely and thus they don’t have the basis to judge you (nor do you have any basis to judge them).
Sadly, when we are hyper-vigilantly paying attention to what others think, we deny our authentic self and act…well, inauthentically, which is to say, dishonestly. That’s when I think we have it all wrong.
Instead of wondering what others think, we ought to turn our focus around. Our attention is better put on expressing our feelings for others. Being caring and responsive to others needs or simply being interested in their life, rather than being anxious that we are not measuring up, is the way to live authentically – as the “author” of our life.
Since there is no one else like you in the whole Universe, if you are not playing your unique role, the Universe is incomplete and out of sync. The world needs you to be authentically behaving, contributing and expressing just who you are.
The truly evolved Leo is known for their generosity and kind-heartedness. That’s because the truly evolved Leo doesn’t care what others think. They don’t need any more applause than that which they give themselves when they respond to life out of a sense of loving-kindness as just exactly who they are – no more and no less.
If you feel you are not always behaving authentically, change direction. In other words, don’t let someone else hold the key to whether you are right or wrong, good or bad. Choose to operate from you own inner heart’s authentic expression. Choose to give yourself praise when due and encouragement for improving yourself when that is necessary.
To maintain your authentic self, it comes easier if you spend time listening to your inner feelings, what I call your heart’s voice. It can be done by taking a walk in the woods or sitting quietly in meditation. But I find that spending enough time alone with me is absolutely essential to being authentic in my daily life.
A Quote of Note
“If you call forth what is in you, it will save you. If you do not call forth what is in you, it will destroy you.”
~Gospel of Saint Thomas
