Being Authentic

"There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself.  It is the only true guide you will ever have.  And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls."  Howard Thurman

Why do we have to be dying in order to start doing life-giving activities for ourselves?  Wouldn't it be wonderful to truly live our lives to the fullest every single day?  Wouldn't it be fantastic to be motivate to be our authentic selves where we can be free, spontaneous and loving with the people in our lives?  If dying is the incentive to create authenticity then I have great news!  We are all in the process of dying!  Feeling motivated yet?

Being authentic and clearing up the unfinished business in relationships, where you have been unable to express what needs to be said or what you truly feel, will free your energy for living your life to the fullest for as long as wear this earth suit we call a body!

Think of someone in your life with whom you have unfinished business and think of what needs to be expressed to that person...not from vindictiveness but from the heart.  I have heard all the arguments about why it won't work or being too fearful of the outcome to try, but remember this isn't an overnight solution and it isn't to make anyone change, it is simply to be more authentic free up your emotional energy for what you truly want to do in your life.  Think about how much of your life force is drained by not asking for what you need and not expressing what you think and feel.
"I want to stop being in competition with you."
"I want you to stop talking about me behind my back."
"I want you to love me."
"I want you to trust me."
or even
"I'd rather have Coke than iced tea."
(Notice all these statements start with "I" because that takes you to the heart while "YOU" takes you to vindictiveness.)

I don't remember much about the old book, The Bridges of Madison County, but I do recall the heroine's death scene when her children discover the affair she had so many years ago and she says that at some point in life it is better to be known than loved.  Perhaps it takes a death scene of sorts to come to grips with that concept.  If you live your life without people truly knowing you, your thoughts, feelings and desires and if you live your life never asking for what you want or need, then no one will miss you when you're gone because you never truly existed in the first place.

"Don't ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  Howard Thurman

                                  Recipe for Buttermilk Scone (for when I miss England)

8 oz. self rising flour                    1/2 tsp salt
2 oz butter                                  2 oz raisins
6 fl. oz. buttermilk                        beaten egg for brushing

Sieve flour and salt into a bowl.  Rub in butter to flour unlike it's like breadcrumbs.  Stir in raisins and enough buttermilk to make soft dough.  Roll out dough to 1/2" thick.  Cut into rounds.  Place on baking sheet.  Brush with egg.

Bake at 350 degrees until done.