I just had a fantastic weekend of reading the book The Gift of Imperfections by Brene Brown, and I told myself that I would blog about the topic that I found myself highlighting the most. Two parts of the book are covered in yellow: living an authentic life and fighting perfectionism. Tonight, I will hit authenticity.
"To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight--and never stop fighting." E.E. Cummings
Being authentic--our real selves--is completely terrifying. We basically are stepping on a stage and saying, "Here I am...every piece of me." By doing this, we open ourselves up to being judged, criticized, and even accepted, but either way we are exposed. This is one of the most courageous acts I think any of us can do. It takes strength to stand up and be exactly who you are and let go of what others will say about you.
It's imperative that we all let go of what other people think. Taking a few hits is much better than sacrificing who we are. Don't hold back your ideas at a meeting because you are afraid of what others will say. Speak your opinions in a group. Contribute when you feel compelled. Holding all of this in will only hurt you in the end because it leaves you feeling like you aren't worthy of being heard, and you are. As Brene says, "Don't shrink." Stand tall and be you.
Our goal should never be to be accepted or to be liked by everyone. It just will never happen. Our goal should be to always show up and be real. People who love you and deserve to be in your life will accept you for your strengths AND your imperfections. This world is filled with too many people trying to appease others or be what everyone else wants. I learned this is the quickest way to crush any self worth you may have. Nothing is greater, no matter how scary, than to show up and be you because you are special and worthy of being seen.
Go do great things,
EP
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