Peeling off the layers . . .

"Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this." Eleanor Roosevelt

In researching quotes and articles pertaining to authenticity today, I found something quite interesting. Most of the quotes or essays made a clear connection between being authentic and being happy, joyful, creative, at peace, empowered, and most importantly, being of service. This last connection was the one that struck me the most. What did being authentic have to do with being of service or having the desire to be of service?

In today's text message to the Dream Circle, I used Andrew Cohen's quote about being our authentic selves. Part of it reads as follows: ". . . when your Authentic self miraculously awakens to itself . . . you will actually begin to make a difference in this world. . . " This connection between being authentic and true to yourself and subsequently wanting to help others kept on popping up everywhere. I guess I hadn't seen it as clearly as I did today. The more I connect with my Inner Being or Authentic Self, and peel off the layers and bullshit I've hidden under in the past, the clearer everything gets in my life. And, the less stuff I'm hiding behind, the easier it gets to focus on what is important in my life.

This is what all those quotes I read and posted today are saying. If we don't take the time to connect with our authenticity, with the being that resides in our human suits, then the less likely we are to be able to lead a fulfilling and successful life. It's hard work always being something you're not. It really is! I mean, depending on how hidden behind your facade you are, acting the part of somebody else can get rather complicated and tiring. That is definitely not a way to live your life! How can joy make its way in when we've built so many layers and walls around us? How can anything truthful or meaningful get through? How then, can we take the time to be aware of others and start asking ourselves how we can be of service? We're too busy pretending to even care.

I believe that there is nothing more pivotal to our physical, emotional and spiritual health than being authentic in all ways. Sometimes, it's not so easy. We do live in a world where conformity is thrust upon us from the minute we are born. . . I think it's time to reevaluate that. . . I think it's time to break out of whatever shell we've been living under. . . I KNOW the time has come to let our light shine . . . and in so doing, be able to move freely in this world and quite possibly see the world around us, clearly, for the first time . . .

Peace and Light and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel