When I say authentic, what do you think?
People that speak the truth? No hiding behind a vail of perfectness or autonomous?
People that are transparent? Putting it all out there, the good, the bad, the ugly?
People who say what they mean and mean what they say?
Here is the dictionary.com definition of authentic.
au·then·tic
[aw-then-tik]
adjective
not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.
Genuine. I forgot Genuine.
I wrote a blog post the other day about the depression that I suffer with and it was as authentic as they come. Although, it is not something that I have hidden as I have written about it before, it is not something that I write about all the time; I have not let it consume me or this blog.
Does that make me not authentic?
The reason why I ask is because I try to keep it real on this here blog sharing a lot of the good, the bad, the ugly (hence many of my confessional posts) but there are things that again although I share at times, I don't dwell on them in this medium. I don't even share them with everyone in my real life circle. I don't however want people to think I am not authentic because I am not always sharing that part of me NOR do I write about it (battling depression) for sympathy either. I know I am not the only one. I write it so people can gain that connection with me; see that I am just like many of you out there and if I help someone, support someone or someone supports me along the way; win-win.
My life is not perfect. No ones is. We all have our demons. Some of us battle with physical illness, mental illness, money issues, relationship issues, self esteem issues, body image, addiction in one form or another...you name it. Even those who we see with the most glamorous life. We only see what they want us to see (RIP Cory Monteith). I can go on and on but won't. I think you get the picture.
We, you and me, we are similar. We are not SUPERWOMAN. I know I have said that a million times before on this blog over the past couple years, kind of the premise of the blog....to shatter the stereotypes, that although we think we can have it all and do it all, that is OUR expectations (not necessarily that of others as so clearly pointed out a couple days ago by a dear friend), but when it comes right down to it, most of us can't or don't...something is going to suffer and we have to accept that. The way I see it is as long as the important things are taken care of i.e. your faith in GOD, your family, your health, that is what really matters. That is what I am trying to do. Everything else aside.
Genuine. I forgot Genuine.
I wrote a blog post the other day about the depression that I suffer with and it was as authentic as they come. Although, it is not something that I have hidden as I have written about it before, it is not something that I write about all the time; I have not let it consume me or this blog.
Does that make me not authentic?
The reason why I ask is because I try to keep it real on this here blog sharing a lot of the good, the bad, the ugly (hence many of my confessional posts) but there are things that again although I share at times, I don't dwell on them in this medium. I don't even share them with everyone in my real life circle. I don't however want people to think I am not authentic because I am not always sharing that part of me NOR do I write about it (battling depression) for sympathy either. I know I am not the only one. I write it so people can gain that connection with me; see that I am just like many of you out there and if I help someone, support someone or someone supports me along the way; win-win.
My life is not perfect. No ones is. We all have our demons. Some of us battle with physical illness, mental illness, money issues, relationship issues, self esteem issues, body image, addiction in one form or another...you name it. Even those who we see with the most glamorous life. We only see what they want us to see (RIP Cory Monteith). I can go on and on but won't. I think you get the picture.
We, you and me, we are similar. We are not SUPERWOMAN. I know I have said that a million times before on this blog over the past couple years, kind of the premise of the blog....to shatter the stereotypes, that although we think we can have it all and do it all, that is OUR expectations (not necessarily that of others as so clearly pointed out a couple days ago by a dear friend), but when it comes right down to it, most of us can't or don't...something is going to suffer and we have to accept that. The way I see it is as long as the important things are taken care of i.e. your faith in GOD, your family, your health, that is what really matters. That is what I am trying to do. Everything else aside.
Need some support? What do you suffer from? If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment; private email me at iamnotsuperwoman at yahoo.com.
P.S. I truly am sorry about all the heavy {Real Life} posts lately....they have been weighing me down. Wait no, I'm not...it is what it is. Read it, digest it, think about it, comment on it or not. It is up to you.
I think you (and your blog) are authentic. You are more than your depression. You don't hide it, but you don't choose to dwell on it, either. That sounds healthy and authentic to me. The whole feeling of your blog is encouraging. Life is REAL, and we just go about doing what we can.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading my blog and for your encouraging words. I truly appreciate it. You can say that again...Life is REAL and we just keep swimmin,just keep swimmin. Have a great day!
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