Sunday 30 October 2011

Being Authentic

Who are you?
What do you stand for?
Are you authentic?


I began blogging by default. I felt grateful for the good things which existed in my life, which was a bit of an epiphany for me against a year of perceived negatives.


I felt a need to share that gratitude, that no matter what life throws at you, "it 'aint all that bad!"


My journey was one through ante-natal and post-natal depression, my husband finding a suitable replacement 2 weeks after the birth of our second child, taking on a job that was really designed for three people and the realisation that my whole world was out of balance.


I resigned from that job and reduced my hours until a replacement could be found. I worked on being the best person I could knowing that it would pay off in the end. I worked on being a better mother, I worked on doing things for myself - that I have never done before.


I connected with buddhism, meditation, the church, my friends new and old. I discarded time wasters and energy sappers.


I felt empowered I felt good, but I couldn't work out why; my life was still far from settled.


I was being authentic to my own strengths.


How could you not love life with these two?





Your Top Character Strength
Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.
Your Second Character Strength
Perspective (wisdom)
Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself.
Your Third Character Strength
Curiosity and interest in the world
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.
Your Fourth Character Strength
Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.
Your Fifth Character Strength
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.

I have to say I totally agree with these strengths. They are me to a tee!
I have decided to blog on authenticity rather than gratitude today after reading a blog which rang alarm bells for me. It is someone I know. I read with interest the blogs and the old links and am dismayed at the actions and thoughts of this person. They always played the game, the good guy, cultured person, ambitious and worldly.
How wrong was I!
What I have discovered is a person who is so lost in the world that they don the skin of a chameleon. They fit to the circumstance and the people they are with. That is sad for them and those they deceive by not being themselves. It is sad for their children and cost a man his marriage and family. This person married because it was part of their plan in life, not for love. It is no more than a form of entrapment. What is sad is that two little people have been affected by this and in a negative way. Their main carer is still lost and this affects children raised in environments where there is disequilibrium.
So how do you know if you are being true to yourself?
Take the test and see.
I undertook this survey as part of a book group I am in. It was a great realisation for me and others in the group.
So go on take the test, you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

5 comments:

  1. Loved the post! very energetic!
    Letters

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  2. Thank you, I really appreciate that comment. Soon on this journey I hope to gain some further momentum and direction. XXXFi

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  3. How could I have only just discovered you, Fiona? Wow! Thank you!
    With Gratitude,
    Lina

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  4. What great strengths to have hun. I am going to do this survey myself. Thank you for the great post and glad I found you though DP. :) xx

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  5. Thank you Lina and Sonia, I am grateful for having your fabulous and dynamic blogs to inspire me and appreciate the comments.

    I will be interested to see how the survey pans out for you Sonia!
    xxx

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