Wanda Bam

“Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?” Proverbs 8:1

“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35

I had to reacquaint myself with the meaning of “authenticity” and what it entails. I was reminded that it means upright, pure, original, realistic, true, correctly positioned, balanced and in line with truth and also in contact with the “self”

It is easy to cloud authentic “self” with authentic “living”. I may know the language of authenticity but are unable to speak it. I may, with a touch of acumen, get away with a pretentious lifestyle, only because I may have mastered the art of hollow authenticity. So, how authentic am I?

If one leads an authentic life and one is really authentic, then there is no longer a competition within the self to live a balanced life. To live an authentic life is freedom from a competitive spirit.

Strive to be yourself and stop trying to be someone else. It matters not what clothes you wear or which art or music you like, that makes you unique. “Authentic self is the soul made visible” - Sarah Bon Breathnach. Honesty is to expose yourself, to add value to an otherwise pretentious society, to allow others to fearlessly be themselves. Authenticity requires vulnerability, transparency and integrity. Therefore be authentic. By being authentic, one is set free of fear and we come into contact with the reality of love. Love fully and be honest. Focus on living an honest life, in truth. Breathe it in, and live it.

Be brave and find the strength to be authentic. Not everyone may like you, but it cannot be expected when they may not have been given the opportunity to get to know the real you.

Visualize the meaning of authentic as two circles. It is only when the one circle of who you are and the second circle of what you do integrates completely that you establish authentic behaviour within yourself. The one circle cannot function correctly without the other and testifies to the integrity of each.

Prayer: Lord, examine my heart, and if there is any falsehood in me, lead me through your Spirit to change. Renew me so that I may live without fear of who I am and that I may see myself as you see me. Amen