Thursday, March 12, 2009

Living Authentically



I am living inauthentically when I pretend an indifference I do not feel; when I present myself as more than I am; when I present myself as less than I am; when I affect a blindness that denies my awareness; when I laugh when I need to cry; when I fake beliefs to win acceptance; when I fake modesty; when I allow my silence to imply agreement with convictions I do not share. Positive self-esteem demands congruence- which means that the self within and the self manifested in the world be in accord.
Here are some basic questions to consider:
Am I generally honest with others about my feelings in contexts where talking about feelings is appropriate?
Do I consciously strive to be truthful and accurate in my communications?
Do I talk comfortably, openly, and straightforwardly about that which I love, admire, and enjoy?
If I am hurt, angry, or upset, do I talk about this with honesty and dignity?
Do I stick up for myself and honour my needs and interests?
Do I allow other people to see my excitement?
If I know I am wrong, do I acknowledge this simply and candidly?
Do I feel that the self I experience internally is the self I present to the world?
The hard thing about being honest with myself about what I’m feeling is______________
The hard thing about being honest with others about my feelings is__________________
If I strived to be true and accurate in my communications__________________________
If I talked openly about the things I love, admire, and enjoy_______________________
If I were honest about feeling hurt, angry, or upset _____________________________
When I think of what I surrender for fear of being condemned ______________________
If I were willing to experiment with being a little more authentic every day____________

No comments:

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Blog Archive

About Me

My Photo
Karen Wallace M.Ed. BCATR is an art therapist, artist, and art instructor living and working in Regina SK. Canada. She has a private practice with adults and children and specializes in depression, trauma, life transition and abuse work. She facilitates art therapy, creativity and art groups. She teaches internationally. She shows her mixed media art in galleries in Regina, Victoria B.C. and the Gulf Islands. Karen is known for her enthusiastic and dynamic teaching style. Her workshops are rich, playful and creative. Karen’s art work is a reflection of her art therapy work. She expresses her love of nature, her practice of Buddhism and her family in her art. Web site: www.islandnet.com/~kwallace