Living your Authentic Life

Q: What does "Living your life with authenticity" mean exactly?

A: Living your life with authenticity simply means to employ your true, core self in all that you do. It is a way to be empowered and reclaim your life in a healthy unapologetic manner and free of shame. 

Q: How does one go about fulfilling their destiny/life's purpose? 

A: Know thyself. Be thyself. The surest way to be on your path is to live both authentically and with integrity. Ignore the nagging voices in your head for a change. Silence those Sunday School sermons and/or the disapproving voices of your parents or your unsupportive spouse and ask yourself: "What makes me happy?" If time and money were of no matter, what would you be doing right now? What drives your sense of fulfilment? What exhilarates you? If you aren't living your life authentically, then you aren't doing the world or yourself any favours, which can lead to disease and illness. If it isn't time or money, quite often a misguided sense of duty (a sick relative, leaving toxic friendships, etc.) stops people from reaching their true potential - a grave tragedy. Reevaluate things and ask yourself if what you are doing is truly right for you. You owe it to yourself. This does not mean abandon your responsibilities as a parent, but set boundaries down and allow for "me" time. Life is about striking a balance, after all.

Q: How do I figure out what I'm meant to do?

A: It's not so much a mental exercise as one may think, but it helps. Knowing who you are is great in terms of a foundation, but we are forever changing in life's great flow, like bedrock against a stream. So start with that, but be open to evolving as a resilient and versatile human being and venture outside of your comfort zone. Change is, after all, an uncomfortable prospect. 

Again, what do you enjoy? What are your unique talents? God-given gifts are a huge indicator as to what your future endeavours may be. Other things to think about: Are you a people-person or a loner? A night owl or an early morning riser? Do you learn better through visual teaching or hands-on experience? Is recognition important to you or would you rather shy from the spotlight? These simple questions can point you down a specific career path and narrow your wealth of options.

Q: What does it mean to "Stay in the Flow"?

A: Behaving in such a way, or even living life, (usually they are synonymous) that in no way reflects your authentic self will throw off the flow and knock you off your path. What I mean by this is, if you are unhappy with your life but do nothing to change your circumstance, then things become dire, and I don't just mean circumstantial. Speaking from personal experience, your health, both mental and physical are the casualties and it then becomes that much more difficult to turn this runaway car around. If your life no longer feels like your own, it's probably because it isn't. At some point, you gave up the reigns and have been a passenger of your own life ever since. In misery, there is a certain disconnect from the Universe and it may come to be that "Nothing ever works out". And the cycle continues, compounding the poor attitude and reinforcing the victim complex. When one is connected, centred, in-tune and in the flow, it will feel as though everything touched turns to gold. People will be much more amiable and willing to help your cause. Things will start to fall into place. All successful people know this secret. It is tuning into magic, an unlimited source that is hidden only if you are blind to it, if you have at some point ventured off your path, by abandoning your authenticity. But make no mistake, it is always there, ready and willing to be utilized, awaiting your great return from wandering into the woods. In some circles, this is known as the effortless effort. This is what is meant by, "God helps those who help themselves". This is the power of authenticity and what it means to have "God" on your side. Bhagavan Das sums this up perfectly with his quote: "It's Here Now, are you?"

Q: Anything else I should be aware of?

A: Yes! Coincidences don't exist. Start thinking of them instead as synchronicities, divine aid, help from above, a smile and a nudge from Love itself. This is difficult for some, but as long as you are open to the possibility and aware of synchronicities as something to be thankful for, I promise you, they will become much more abundant in your life. Think of it as your own subtle superpower only you can see and feel. Speaking of being thankful, being grateful and feeling appreciative for the things in our life (even if and especially when it sometimes feels like we have nothing to feel grateful for) is the greatest most potent prayer, for it is a prayer, not of supplication but one of gratitude. It is a statement to the Universe that you have everything already, thereby mirroring that affirmation.

In summation: Know yourself. Be authentic in all that you say, think and do. Follow your dreams. Share your gifts with the world. Don't be afraid to shoot outside of your comfort zone. Be vigilant of "coincidences". Not only are they rungs on a ladder, but beacons lighting up your path. And lastly, 

have gratitude and appreciation for the things in your life, and indeed for life itself.

I am both a dreamer and a realist because I make my dreams come true.

Frank Daniel Fedor