The Importance of Authenticity

You live in a busy world where you play many different roles—employee, roommate, sibling, son/daughter, and significant other. Sometimes it’s easy to change your personality or mannerisms to please those around you. But being true to who you really are will help strengthen those relationships and develop greater confidence within yourself. Others will respect you more for living with authenticity. You’ll help change the world with your integrity and dedication to being the best version of yourself.Living authentically will deepen your spirituality as you connect to your deepest, truest self. You’ll also feel a greater pull toward your higher power and find it easier to connect with others. Spiritual wellness involves a balance of these three connections. Authenticity paves the way for spiritual health. And being spiritually healthy enhances your happiness and invites greater light into your life.

Your Spiritual Identity

At the core of your identity is your spiritual center. Some people refer to this as their essence or their spiritual core. This is the deepest, truest part of you. Author Brennan Manning shared this beautiful thought with the world: “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”So remember your worth and your identity as you go about your day-to-day life. Your worth isn’t defined by your success or your productivity or your relationship status. You are loved and valued because you are a spiritual being trying to live the best you can.Let God’s love and your spiritual identity shine through as you interact with others. Live so others can recognize light in you—through your words and your actions. You might be the only way they recognize a higher power and see a glimpse of their own spiritual identity. Be courageous enough to live authentically, always remembering your spiritual center.

Be True to Who You Are…Always

“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen” (Brene Brown). Authenticity and integrity could be cousins. Integrity is strictly and constantly holding yourself to a moral code while authenticity is holding yourself true to who you are. Both integrity and authenticity require self-discipline and self-love. To be authentic, you need to have integrity. But to have integrity, you must live authentically. Authenticity and integrity go hand in hand. And both of these character traits invite you to be your best, most true self.When you are always true to who you are, others recognize you as reliable. You become more trustworthy and dependable. Living authentically makes you a better employee, friend, and roommate. Choose to be the best version of yourself and notice the relationships around you flourish.

Authenticity Benefits Everyone

We live in a world with a lot of false pretenses. We only post pictures that are “Instagram worthy” and if someone asks how we’re doing, we offer an insincere “fine.” Living authentically helps break down this unhealthy social stigma. We need more people willing to share the difficulties they are facing without fear of judgment. Society needs individuals brave enough to stand up for their beliefs. The world would be a changed—and much better!—place if we could each live with a little more vulnerability and dedication to our true selves.Authenticity paves the way for empathy, which benefits everyone involved. Opening your heart to others shows you are willing to listen. Be real with the people closest to you. We were created to have strong connections and to help others when they are struggling. Too often when someone is hurting, we put pressure on ourselves to come up with the perfect solution to ease their pain. But really, they just need you to be you. To listen intently. To love without judgment. “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity” (Donald A. Adams).Do yourself a favor and stop trying to be who you think the world needs you to be. You have unique talents and character traits that beautifully influence those around you. Find confidence in your inner, spiritual self and choose to live authentically.