Living the Life Authentic!

[Rene Syler]

I got an email from a friend last night who lost her job around the time I did. She has since gone on to a full life, including a new baby!

Well, this weekend she was at a memorial service for a friend and she ran smack dab into the man who fired her from her job. After a bit of uncomfortable chitchat, she mentioned to him that she still missed her old job. He was non- committal about hiring her back.

She emailed me, sort of beating herself up for having said that. And my response to her surprised even me!

See, I come from the school of “ Never let them see you sweat” In other words, handle your stuff in public and have your break down in private. So while I myself would have never said that (for one because I DON’T miss my old job) and perhaps even berated her for saying it, the new Rene understood her place at that moment.

In my response to her, I said something that I’ve always tried to live by. I told her that her response was real, true and authentic. She really DOES miss her job and that aspect of her life. For her to state otherwise would have sounded unconvincing and been uncomfortable to try and play off.

I cannot speak for everyone but I have always tried to live the life authentic. To be as real with people and in your pain as you are in your joy. People used to meet me in person and say, wow you’re just like you are on TV. Well, that’s the life authentic. For those of you here, part of our little GEM community, you know me too. Trust me, when we gather in my closet for our first GEM world headquarters meeting, you will find that what you have seen on videos and in the forums and blogs, is the same person in real life. It’s too much work to try and be someone I am not (though that doesn’t stop the myriad people I worked with in TV who subscribe to that theory).

And that’s what Good Enough Mother is all about too. Just being comfortable with who we are flaws and foibles and all. My friend was authentic when she said she misses her old job. I am authentic when I say I don’t.

Live the life authentic!

[MiVida]

Rene,

I appreciate this post. I am learning to be genuine in all my dealings. Not that I lie, but I just would commit to the whole truth. For example, if someone would ask me my opinion about a matter, when I already knew their point of view, I would feel compelled to sway my response to fit their ego. Well not anymore. If you are wrong, I say you are wrong, but I do still do it diplomatically. People can recognize those who are not genuine.

Keep up the truth.

MiVida