Authenticity

Hi everybody! I'm excited about todays post because I think it's something everybody can relate to. First, I have a question to ask you...What does it mean to be your full authentic self? Do you feel like you are living that life? Or are you held back by fear of what other people will think or that you will not be accepted if you become your authentic self?

So, a very simple definition of authentic is genuine or not false. Do you feel as if you have created an image of yourself based on what other people want to see or do you feel you truly express what is in your heart? I see so many people unhappy in their lives because they have oppressed their true selves. They don't even know who they are anymore. They feel trapped, lost and even feel like strangers to themselves. Are you in a relationship that you are unhappy in? Do you have a job that you hate? Or do you have the "perfect" life but you feel completely unfulfilled and lost anyway?

One of my goals through Mindful Riding is to help women to find their true, authentic selves. Many don't even know where to begin. This was me many years ago. I felt trapped in a very long term relationship, paralyzed by the fear of the unknown. I had lost touch with who I was as a woman and as a spiritual being. I went through everyday like a machine...doing my work but without the vitality of life and passion. I felt so much anger...all directed at myself for allowing myself to remain in a life that I did not love. I knew I was meant for more but I did not know how to proceed. For me, it was discovering the community of self improvement and spirituality that led me to knowing my true self.

For those of you that feel like you have your true self oppressed by outside situations...work, relationships, etc... I encourage you to learn to express yourself! Begin to know yourself again by getting in touch to your creativity...writing, art, photography...literally anything you can do that gets you in touch with that creative spirit. Please please please don't be held back by the fear that people may not approve or may not accept you. Unfortunately, in our life we cannot make everybody happy! Stay true to yourself...by making yourself happy you will begin to get back in touch with that beautiful spirit that you may have lost touch with. At the end of they day, YOU are the one that matters most. You are not doing anybody any favors by hiding your true self.

For me, meditation and journaling was vital in getting back in touch with the part of myself that I had lost. For you, that may be bringing out some paints and canvas, or writing some poetry. Find the time to get back in touch with that part of you that may have been repressed.

I hope that I can help you to find that part of yourself that you may have lost or the part of yourself that you many feel like you have never really known.

You are a beautiful, authentic person. Move past the fear and let yourself shine!

-Jenna