Let’s Get Real
We are drawn to authentic people, aren’t we? We long for authenticity in our relationships, and can tell in a split-second when they aren’t.
I want to confess that choosing to become more and more authentic has been one of the best (and continual) choices I’ve ever made. And one, I’d love to inspire you to pursue. But it’s going to involve you having to be brave. Are you up for it?
Some people are considered authentic when they appear trustworthy, that their words and actions line up. There’s no pretense, no show. No attempts to persuade people that they are anything other than who they are. They are real.
Being called authentic is one of the best compliments I can imagine. Along with “you don’t look that old,” and “I could listen to you sing all day.”
It’s such a huge compliment to me because I’ve spent a good chunk of my life doing the opposite—trying to present a version of myself that would impress others. A daily Command Performance of The Great One, Me. The Outside vs. The Inside and ne’er shall the two meet.
Authenticity is the alignment of the inside and outside versions of yourself.
Being real is also about not having anything to prove. It’s also about not having anything to be afraid of. I’ve had a doozy of a time trying to act that way, because it always felt like I had something I needed to prove to get the life I thought I deserved. And I had to be aware/afraid of things that might get in the way of that.
I’ve struggled to believe a lot of things I’ve written, sung, and spoken to audiences about—things like, how much they are loved, that they are not alone, that we’re all in this together.
I could see the target my soul was aiming for, just never believing I’d ever be able to hit it. All the while hoping other people could, perhaps achieving some kind of win-by-proxy.
As long as my insides didn’t match my outsides, I never believed it was possible for myself. But now I’m certain it’s possible.
The ups and downs that life throws can afford us great opportunities to keep evaluating how we’re doing on the authenticity scale. I guarantee, as you seek more authenticity in your own life, you will be amazed at how all of life changes for the better.
Let me go deep for a second…(my fav thing to do)
When you strip away the fear and worry and the posturing and controlling, and the whatever else you want to add to the list…what are you left with? For many people letting go feels like falling… like you’re literally going to spin out of control. So many of those things we held onto so tightly are what gave us a false sense that we were in control of our life, when in fact, they were only keeping us from it.
I believe at our core, without all those things we thought we had to hang on to, we are simply beings of love. Literally, love personified. All those things keep us from experiencing and expressing the kind of love we have been created for.
Letting go of your agenda, letting go of your need to control, living in the blind uncertainty of a life of faith, and living with open-handed hope and expectancy, all free you up to know love and be love. And that might be the bravest thing you could ever do.
My song “Brave” says it like this: “Been holding back for far too long, afraid of what might be if you gave in, would you lose it all? But now you’re sick of your old ways, you’re finally ready for a new life, it’s a brand day. It’s time to be brave!”
I’m cheering you on!
Brave is a good word. I love it.
Ok Smeby! I love this! Authenticity! Oh hell yeah! That is my new target. Cause why not? Authentic people are magnetic. You are magnetic. I don't always know what being authentic is for me. I think I have not been always all authentic. I'm not sure I am now. What a great thing to strive for. This spoke to me. Keep writing, you are good at it.