June 17, 2022 - Shift Your Stories: Discover Everyday Clarity & Joy

Authenticity Means Making Mischief, Mayhem, and Mistakes—Wheee!

6 Comments / Authenticity, Change, Clarity, Courage, Mindset / By maryv@shiftyourstories.com

“The authentic self is soul made visible.” —Sarah Ban Breathnach

Each day is a new start to show up with authenticity. I’m not afraid to take some risks, or to take that trail less trodden. Pursuing my curiosity often pays off. After all, I’ve met some kindred spirits using this approach—so I must be on the right path!

Something as simple as letting out my inner imp every now and then feels so good. I like to laugh. Humor, word play, and puns—bring it!

Many things in my purview elicit an instant wisecrack or witticism. It’s just how I’m wired. I’ve been called “quirky” on more than one occasion. To me, I’m just being me. And it feels fab.

But it does require trusting that others will laugh with me, not at me. That they will understand me. Or at least accept me. Yet what if they [sometimes] judge me? Then what?

Time to haul out this handy dandy phrase:

S.W.S.W.S.W.N.

Which means:

Some Will, Some Won't, So What? Next!

In other words, not everyone will like us or accept us for who we are. Will we let that stand in our way? Should that hold us back from being authentic and true to ourselves? Do we need everyone’s approval? Hopefully not!

Now I’m not saying risk-taking is second nature. I’ve made tremendous progress, yet I’m still very much a work-in-progress. I continue with learning to embrace and to act on my potential.

It seems this life is about uncovering the lessons we agreed to, but forget about when we arrive. That’s how it works. There are clues all around but it’s up to us to piece them together to reveal our one-of-a-kind mission.

Somehow, we get sidetracked. Someone tells us who we are. Society tells us how to be. If we’re lucky, we learn early on what to keep and what to discard. For most of us, it’s a lifelong journey to reset ourselves and mute those external orders and that little judging voice within.

Yet each of us has a contribution for the world. We fall short when we present an imitation of someone else.

Now is the time to let your own beautiful soul shimmer and shine! Step into your power. Share your unique gifts. The world can be a better place because of you when you show up authentically — believe it!

“Be a voice, not an echo” — Albert Einstein

Where would you like to head next? What would you try, if failing meant having fun and discovering something new?

Mischief, mayhem, and mistakes: What could go wrong? How about what could go right!

The Wrap On Authenticity

Browsing through my photos from a visit to the culmination of the Camino pilgrimage in Spain provided the prompt for this story. The combination of both sacred and playful moments on my journey was exhilarating!

For an approach I use to unleash courage and curiosity, try this.

Day: June 17, 2022