Stay true to YOUR Authentic Self

One sunny afternoon, I was sitting in a cozy corner of my favourite café sipping a cup of coffee. The aroma filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversations around me. In this serene moment, I pondered the roles I play in the lives of those around me.

For instance, a colleague confided in me during a particularly tough time in her life. To her, I am a beacon of hope, someone who offered a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on when she needed it most. She often tells me how my bright personality brings a smile to her face, making her days a little lighter. In her story, I am a Godsend, a saviour who helped her navigate the storm.

On the other hand, there’s an old schoolfriend. Our paths diverged over the years, and our interactions became less frequent. When we do meet, my enthusiasm and energy seem to irritate him. He finds my optimism grating, viewing it as a facade rather than a genuine trait. In his narrative, I am annoying, someone who disrupts his peace with my incessant cheerfulness.

Then there’s my neighbour, a kind, elderly lady who often invites me for tea. She appreciates my sensitivity and the emotional depth I bring to our conversations. To her, my vulnerability is a strength that fosters a sense of safety and comfort. She sees me as a compassionate soul who understands human emotions.

Conversely, my assertiveness has not always been well-received. Recently, I stood up for myself during a heated meeting, refusing to back down on an important issue. Some admired my courage, seeing it as a testament to my integrity and self-respect. Others considered me rude and selfish, and interpreted my assertiveness as a lack of consideration for their own perspectives.

Even my consideration for my appearance has been a double-edged sword. Some friends commend me for my self-respect and the effort I put into presenting myself well. But others mistake it for vanity and see my attention to detail as conceit, while failing to recognise the confidence it brings me.

As I mused over my coffee, I came to the realisation that none of these perceptions from the outside world can, or should, define who I am at my core. I simply need to embrace the fact that I don’t have control over how people view me, and therefore must not give in to a nagging need to manage their impressions of me. That can lead to frustration and self-doubt and, when it comes down to it, what truly matters is how I see myself and what I believe to be unequivocally true about my character and essence of my BEING.

By acknowledging my intrinsic worth and embracing my authentic self, I can navigate through the myriad perceptions with confidence and peace, knowing that my personal value does not rest on the opinions of others.

With this newfound clarity, I took a deep breath and smiled. The world around me seemed a little brighter, the coffee a little more flavoursome. I knew I could face any narrative with grace and strength as long as I stayed true to myself.

Go well, Stay Well and Be Well

#truth #authenticself #friendship #challenges #honesty

Jahavel Founder Ara Harathunian blog post says: "Face any narrative with grace and strength by staying true to yourself"