Authenticity Is The Key To Personal Freedom

Living Authentically.
Photo Credit: x1brettstuff.blogspot.com

While on the grueling journey of trying to figure out my “why,” I slowly began to understand that perhaps the key to finding our true purpose, is to focus primarily on becoming our authentic selves? Admittedly, I feel somewhat embarrassed having had such an oh-so-obvious “aha moment” rather late in my life but the truth is, that earlier (in life), I spent a lot of time playing a game of tug of war with who I am versus with who I think I should be. Had I opted instead, to introduce myself to the real me, decided immediately that I was cool AF, then embarked on a healthy relationship with thee (as we so eagerly do with strangers), perhaps I would have been in better alignment with who I am and thus more clear on what it is that I am meant to do?

But, “coulda, woulda, shoulda” as the saying goes! While I can never recover lost time, I have however, decided to honor the moments that remain by making a concerted and continuous effort to finally celebrate all that is me. Unveiling (unapologetically), has been quite the struggle as the core of who I am is a total bullseye for societal ridicule. For most of my existence, I’ve felt like a crazed salmon swimming upstream against the judgmental current of life! I’ve grown tired, exhausted actually, and rightfully so. It has now become time for me to retire my “fins,” tell my story and applaud myself for having the courage to do so.

The truth is, I’ve been different since conception and have known such, all of my life; I’ve thus struggled all of my life too… I cannot count how many sorrys I’ve murmured and how many more sorrys I’ve felt, all in the name of apologizing for who I am, for my choices and beliefs, and for my life – Basically just for being me.

I’ve never, nor will I ever be a conformist but most importantly, I will never again apologize externally (nor internally), for it. Non-conformity isn’t a choice; rather, it is an inherent and thus natural state of existence for me. Officially fed up with societal constraints of which I have no allegiance to, I’ve finally decidied to “come out” and fully be me although completely unapologetic this time around! No more explaining, and no more apologizing for:

1. Being an Atheist (I genuinely enjoy independent thinking/thought, plus, I heavily subscribe to the notion that it’s never about what we believe; rather, it is about how we behave. Also, one of my closest friends is a devout, born again Christian).
2. For not wanting to get married (I enjoy having disparate conversations with different Gentlemen and learning something new about my myself while dating. I also enjoy the freedom to completely abstain and fall silent, when I simply do not want the company of a Gentleman). 
3. For not wanting to have children (while kids are uberly awesome, I’ve never had the desire to conceive, so I’m being true to myself – inner honesty is King).
4. For loving and supporting the Gay, Lesbian & Transgendered community (it honestly doesn’t cross my mind to judge how two consenting human beings like/love one-another).
5. For being a Tomboy (I’m a proud former-owner of 2 motorcycles who can shift gears better than I can walk in heels!).
6. For being an introvert (nope – don’t wanna hang out today and probably not tomorrow. I’ll just sit here quietly reflecting, growing and recharging my extremely drained battery). 
7. For being fiercely independent (this doesn’t mean that I don’t need anyone; it simply means that most times, I need me more). 
8. For being an expressive “weirdo” (a friend helped me to understand that I have the courage to express outwardly, what many others feel, but often keep hidden deeply within).

So there you have it! The real unabridged, unrestricted me. Nearly everything that I am is a societal no-no but I have finally chosen to tell society that I am perfectly okay (in those particular areas), that I ain’t fixing jack and that it can kiss my royally authentic ass! All we can do is to continue to become our authentic selves with the hopes that one of the byproducts of unveiling, will place us on a trajectory towards what we are meant to do and in the process, uncover who we are truely meant to be -unapologetically.

Thank You For Taking A Moment To “Dance” With Me