“Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.” Steve Jobs
For those of us who are Intentional Authentics (learning to be ourselves), it’s difficult sometimes, to know when we’re really being real. Our habits are so ingrained, so habitual, that we get confused about who we really are. Don’t worry – this will get easier as you practice authenticity.
When referring to characteristics or traits, I often hear people say “Well, that’s just who I am!” I don’t buy it. When we search deep within us, we begin to realize that “that’s just who I’ve become.” Many of our characteristics are downloaded into us at an early, early age, when we don’t have the cognizant ability (brain power) to think rationally and say “No, I don’t want to be that person!”. We can’t help it. Up until we’re about 6 years old, our brains function on a “sub-conscious” level – our brainwaves are the same as if we were in a hypnotic trance, and we’re very susceptible to suggestion.
I’m sitting at my local coffee shop, and at the next table is a woman with her young daughter (maybe 3 years old). Another woman came to join them, and the little girl acted “shy.” Her mother announced “she’s shy” to the other woman, and proceeded to discuss how this little girl is much more shy than the girl’s older sister. The mother has then proceeded to dominate the conversation with the other woman – mostly gossiping. This little girl may well grow up being “shy.” After all, it’s her label – she’s probably heard it for years already. And with a chatty mom, how’s a kid supposed to find her voice?
These are the types of things that muddy up the lens of our authenticity. We will begin to learn to clean that lens, slowly and surly, to discover a clear inner vision.
I invite you to begin to question who you have become. Are you the person you want to be? It’s not too late to find your authentic self!
