Search for authenticity

What does being authentic mean to you as an individual?

Authenticity is a concept I have been carefully exploring, distilling it down to its sticky residue, how researching it works as a larger component of my creative process. This demands that I focus mentally and emotionally while creating my artwork. I often wrestle with questions and challenges from surveying my work, as they seep to the surface, often revealing very rich insights.

This is a process of constant shedding of the outer layers of wisdom, events, and expectations that were instilled in me. It is believed to be based on facts; accurate or reliable information was often built entirely on the insecurities of friends, family, and random strangers. These building blocks of fears, disappointments, and unfulfilled dreams reinforced the powerful words and actions that overshadowed and informed my choices growing up and still occasionally influence my interactions as an adult.

I have discovered that there are many paths that can nurture true authenticity. The most crucial of all jobs is that you must examine everything, searching to determine if your words and actions are based on current feelings or if your reaction is influenced by past conditioning factors. This allows the opportunity to create an emotionally appropriate response to what is being presented in the moment.

Preserving one’s authenticity is a practice of discarding these layers of good intentions that gradually instilled fear and doubt. My authentic self is released as I investigate my daily actions and interactions with fresh eyes and a clear mind. This gives me the opportunity to build new conclusions established from the information I currently have. Reminding me not to abandon the influences of the many layers of socialization infused since my birth.

I have come across many people on my journey, who questions whether there is a possibility of becoming 100% authentic? Though I think we all experience flashes of clarity of true authenticity. Unfortunately, all too often, these continue to be based on individuals perception of self and not their true or pure self. Achieving authenticity is a process; it requires self-exploration to remove the many levels of conditioning to reveal the true essence of an individual.

Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?

What are the actions you can start implementing in your life today to help you be more authentic?