Monday, May 24, 2010

Magnificent Women Are Authentic

By Margaret Futerer

The words “authentic” and “authenticity” are buzzwords that are thrown about in the media and in literature, but what does it really mean to be authentic?

Being authentic is the ability to be true to oneself. Living an authentic life requires the ability to be true to our own wants, needs and desires and not live our lives by the opinion of others. Being authentic is the ability to make self-honoring choices and stand firmly in who we are in our core.

In order to live an authentic life we have to first know who we are. It requires that we stop looking outside ourselves for validation and appreciation and instead go within ourselves and discover the true woman within.

When we connect to who we are at the core of our being the light of truth engulfs us. It comes to us as a warm feeling of coming home and a charge of energy that explodes into every cell of our being. It is a feeling of connectedness to ourselves that cannot be denied. Once we have truly connected with who we are life as we know it is forever transformed. A new confidence and a new awareness take us places we may have never imagined possible.

When we stay connected to our true self at the center of our being we live our lives in pure authenticity. We love who we are and no longer feel the need or desire to live by the expectations of anyone outside ourselves. We are able to listen to ourselves and know what is best for us; we know what brings us the greatest joy and fulfillment.

Being true to ourselves gives us the insight and compassion to see others for who they are, not who we expect them to be. It frees us up from the judgment of ourselves and others and it gives others the freedom to be themselves as well.

When we are true to the magnificent woman within us, our authenticity and integrity spills out into our world and allows us to live our lives in unconditional love and acceptance.