Raw and Unfiltered.

She’s mad but she’s magic. There’s no lie in her fire. -Charles Bukwoski

What does it mean to you to b e authentic? Does it mean to be who you are organically with all short comings? Or does it mean to be who you OUGHT to be?    To me, it means to expose who you are internally without fear of failure or condemnation.

At first glance, some may say that opening yourself to that will cause others to seek you as prey, for when they know your weakness they can go for the jugular and hurt or maim your heart or well being. I  know no other way to be but who I am with all my imperfections in my attitude,  demeanor,  lack of control and impulse. (Okay.. this sounds bad but it’s not. I don’t break laws nor faces and I have common sense!)  I have to say what’s on my mind when I simply feel like I can’t hold back anymore. I can’t pretend, I can’t live behind a façade of perfection when my soul wants to scream.   Even still, I get chastised, accused of being a loon  (when all I am is passionate); but it comes with the territory. Others are afraid to be expressive because they have been repressed.   They have been taught keep hidden the very things that God gave us and no one else. The ability to emote, to feel emotional pain and joy.    I relish in what I have been given and make no apologies for it.    

I had a conversation with someone recently who works for the federal government protecting “important” people;  High ranking members of the military, congressmen and women, heads of state from other countries, dignitaries, and even celebrities when they visit our nation’s capital.   That conversation was about being authentic. To most, he’s in uber control, knows every step he takes before he takes it, and everything else that may go along with that line of work.  He has awards for his service and wears them with pride. For everything he has accomplished has come from showing his dedication to his work or what I like to call  his “ paycheck.” What he never did was dedicate himself to his SELF. He got lost in his promise to others and forgot his promise to his own self.  I witnessed the man who was so seemingly in control try to kill himself with the very weapon that he used to protect everyone else because I, someone who cared about his soul, tried to connect with HIM.  I saw him as so out of control, but in that moment, although it was raw, it was real.  I commend him for his release more than his willingness to take a bullet for someone else.   To me, that’s what made him larger than life to me. Being strong by being weak. He will never understand that though.  You see, to me, wisdom comes by acceptance of something  not fully understood  and perhaps unenjoyable but in it contains the seeds  to allow for growth. As you open up to others thoughts and ideas, you open your soul, you become rebirthed.   If only he knew.  

Truth be Told Truth Behold:  Do not lose who you are before you even expose who you are. Tap into authenticity and start organically living.