Authenticity: The Key to a Healthy Life

One of my favorite quotes is by author Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

How can you have a healthy, honest, transparent, happy, authentic relationship with the world if you are not true to yourself? To be authentic means to be genuine and real—not counterfeit. Living an authentic life is necessary because it gives us the freedom from always trying to be someone or something we are not.

Getting to a place of living an authentic life is a journey, but it is worth it. Everyone’s journey to authenticity is and will be different. The important thing is that you have recognized and identified your struggles and fears, and have taken your first steps toward liberation of those fears.

Living an authentic life begins with being honest and sincere with yourself. It starts with believing in yourself and letting go of fears, self-doubt, and insecurities. Each of these traits and habits can hold you back from living and being alive—not just surviving. It starts with watering seeds of self-confidence and self-esteem as opposed to fear, worry, anxiety, and depression. It starts with learning to use your stumbling blocks as stepping stones. The fear of being authentic creates self-doubt and insecurities in us. Being able to pick yourself up after falling and recognizing that (no matter how long it takes), it is not the end and you have power beyond measures—this is what it looks like to use your stumbling blocks as stepping stones.

Understanding that you are power beyond measure can help you in your daily communication. People who are inauthentic may have a more difficult time gaining the trust of others. If you are inauthentic and insincere, you may find others are less likely to believe in you. Be mindful of your motivation. Trust is more likely to come naturally in your relationships with people once you have established honesty and transparency.

Imagine a living a life in which your physical and emotional state is in harmony simply because you have learned how to be authentic with yourself. Imagine a life in which it is easier to deal with the pain of everyday stressors, recognize your feelings, and express them in an authentic way, and imagine the happiness this would bring to your life!

Ask yourself the following in your meditation:

• Can I be authentically available to others if I am not authentic to myself?
• Can I be truly happy if I am not living an authentic life?
• By living my authentic life, can I liberate others to do the same?

Sometimes you have to make a deliberate effort into taking those first few steps.

Five-part guided meditation mantra:

• I am powerful.
• I am brilliant.
• I am talented.
• I have what it takes.
• I will do what it takes.

Yes, life is a journey. It is your journey. It can be your authentic or your inauthentic journey. Trust your instincts and decide today which path on this journey it will be.

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.