The Audacity of Authenticity

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means:

• Cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable;

• Exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle and connected to each other through a loving and resilient human spirit; and

• Nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen we believe that we are
enough.

Authenticity demands wholehearted living and loving – even when it’s hard, even when we’re
wrestling with the shame and fear of not being good enough, and especially when the joy is so
intense that we’re afraid to let ourselves feel it.

Choosing authenticity is not only an act of courage; it is an act of resistance. You’re going to
confuse, piss-off and terrify lots of people – including yourself. One minute you'll pray that
the transformation ends and the next minute you’ll pray that it never ends.

But, if we want to engage in our lives from a place of worthiness, authenticity is not an option. We have to wake up every morning and say, “is is who I am, this is my story, and . . . I am enough.”

Brene Brown, from What is Dying to be Born?

YES. This is who I am, this is my story, and I am enough.

And the same goes for you.