What Does Authenticity Mean To You?

[Daryn Kagan]

I have authenticity on the brain right now. My friend, Mike Robbins, has a new book out called, "Be Yourself. Eveyone Else Is Already Taken." It's a great guide in figuring out who you really are, what you really want and how to go get it. So that makes me wonder, do you have any stories of success or struggles in claiming who you really are?

Watch my conversation with Mike Robbins

[Mary Andrews]

Thanks for this thread Daryn! Mike's book sounds great and love the interview. I so love the concept of authenticity but I never really thought much about it until a 2002 colon cancer diagnosis. That was a turning point in the process of discovering who I am and in understanding that I don't have to have all the answers ahead of time, that life is an ongoing journey of choices, and with each decision, no matter how "small," we move closer or further from our authentic selves. I began to see that life is about flowing with our natural desires and interests, rather than trying to control outcomes. In a way, life is an adventure.
From my cancer experience I was inspired to write and perform - things I had never done before - a colon cancer comedy called "The Poopinator: I've Got Good News and Bad News." This was a wonderful opportunity for me to be authentic. It was the scariest thing I'd ever done! But I clearly recognized the choice - go back to going through the motions of living, "existing" and "surviving" or start REALLY living.
Resistance from friends and family to doing The Poopinator did bring up some doubts, but the desire to live out the true desires of my heart and to follow authentic inspiration outweighed any external pressure to do something "normal." It was the first time I was able to allow other people to share their opinions, but I knew the ultimate choice was mine.
It felt so synchronistic to wake up and see that authenticity was your next topic since I just performed a Poopinator show last night at a fundraiser at my son's school and authenticity is definitely on my brain lately too! There's a part of the show where I share how the Poopinator (voice in my head, lol) highlights the choices I always have to be authentic. It's a very simple concept, although not always easy. We have a choice - Do I do what other people think I should do? or what makes the most logical sense?
Or do I follow the inspiration of my own heart, what feels right to ME, whether or not it make obvious logical sense yet?
To me, authenticitcity means deliberately choosing to flow with in the direction of what truly inspires you and with what honestly feels right for you, no matter what the good opinion of other well meaning people might be. The title of Mike's book sums it up so beautifully - "Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken." Love it!

[Mary McManus]

For years I felt too much shame and embarrassment to be myself. I looked at others and tried to copy their style, what they were doing and when this never worked out, I would become jealous and depressed. But with the gift of post polio syndrome, I learned the meaning of authenticity. I released my feelings of shame and learned how to love myself - just like the Velveteen Rabbit, I became real. I loved myself in a cane, a brace and a wheelchair; I embraced my physical limitations and learned about spiritual freedom. I discovered my unique gift of poetry. I celebrate my unique style and am so grateful every day for the unique one of a kind person I am - a snowflake created by God - dancing through life as the true me. And a by product of becoming real and loving me is the miraculous physical healing I experienced. And I learned how to laugh at myself and with myself and to not take life too seriously. It's a lot more fun living life as the true me. So what if it took me 55 years to get here?

[Sandra Keros]

I LOVE this. Thank you so much for sharing it. You have a wonderful way of bringing the most relevant stories, inspirational people and messages to life for your viewers. I look forward to learning more about Mike and getting his book. Just what I needed!

[Mary McManus]

Yesterday I was blessed to be able to attend the award ceremony for Caregiving Excellence at Spaulding Rehab Hospital. I was there to share my patient story and honor the caregivers at Spaulding Rehab. I decided to write a poem for this special occasion and after I was handed the mike, I noticed my hand tremor decided it was time to make itself known. Whenever I have to tightly grip something, it can reappear. There was a podium in the corner but I could not stand behind it so I had to hold the mike and read my poem. I tried to put my poem on the podium but had difficulty reading it because of the angle it was at. So I bravely took the poem, held the mike and worked the room reading my poem with both hands 'doing their thing'. In the past, I would have been apologetic about the tremor and been self conscious asking if anyone noticed it, making excuses but instead I felt God's Presence and was focused on the gift of gratitude I was sharing with this amazing group of front line caregivers. I thought about Katherine Hepburn - she was so classy with her tremors. I also reflected on what I have learned on this journey about being authentic and not needing to apologize for who I am - perfect in all of my imperfections.

[Erin]

I think authenticity begins with coming to a point that you feel comfortable in your own skin... authenticity is the outside world's ability (and our willingness to share) our true inner selves - and in order to do that, we have to know, and like, that person.

Authenticity is a form of honesty. Being honest with others about who we are and what we believe in. To do that in any real way, we have to be honest with ourselves first and foremost... right?

I think this interview says that much more eloquently than I just did LOL.

[Mary McManus]

You said it perfectly Erin! Amen - once we are comfortable in our own skin and truly love and like ourselves then we can be authentic and honest about the special gifts we bring to light up the world!