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MuseLetter
Inspired Self-Expression
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Greetings!
This issue's inquiry: Are you living the truest you? |
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Seeking Our Tribal Home
Authenticity
Begets
Authenticity
We are all born with the basic need and desire for relationship, but there is also a deeper yearning; the need to "belong". As American psychologist Abraham Maslow identified as one of the Five Basic Needs, we long to be a part of a special group; a pack, clan, a tribe that shares our common values and whose members love, accept and appreciate us for being precisely who we are. Thus, comes the crucial question: Are you living and expressing the truest you?
When I first began developing programs on authenticity and creative self-expression nearly two decades ago, it was not the hot commodity that it has become today. In fact, authenticity is all the rage; in business, education, religion and spirituality sectors - to mass marketing and branding; authenticity sells.
Very tricky, this, because veracity cannot be bought, bargained or embodied via a weekend workshop. In fact, genuine authenticity requires being profoundly present to your own emotional circuitry; not what you have been taught, but what you know deep in your gut. It is holding your feet to the fire, day after day, year after year.
Living true to your nature
is a marathon, not a sprint.
- the urban goddess
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Peeling Back the Layers to Your Core Values
As children we are unencumbered and naturally live and express from our core natures. Good, bad, right or wrong, it was infinitely easier back then to blurt the truth (i.e.; that lady's mean) because it is accepted as the innocent antics of a child. Yet, every year that passes it becomes harder and harder to speak our truth.
Indoctrinated into family codes and collective cultural beliefs, we are good boys and girls if we adhere to them, bad boys and girls if we stray. However, somewhere along the meandering and bumpy road of adulthood, it is most befitting and wise to stray.
To be, or not to be?
- Shakespeare
I will never win a popularity contest. I've known this as far back as I can remember. As a young child sitting in my father's lap watching Miss America Pageants, year after year, he would pay special attention to the talent and personality segments of the program, deftly instilling in me: "there's more to a woman than just being pretty".
While this was remarkably wise of my father to instill such values in a young girl, yet even back then, deep in my little girl guts, I knew I would never win a Miss Congeniality contest. It just wouldn't happen.
The Need to Please: Danger, Will Robinson!
It isn't that I endeavor to be contrary, but there is indeed a hierarchy; authenticity before agreement for agreements sake. While some people (many) may consider me argumentative and blunt, others find me refreshingly outspoken. Thus, in authentically expressing my core values (instead of seeking the safety of what is politically or culturally correct) I determine my tribal members - my packmates.
Be fierce, be wild. Come back home.
- the urban goddess
Don't be a pretender; life's too short to live without your packmates. Cross the chasm of cultural naiveté and climb the mountain of your true nature, and stay there. When you listen closely in the dead of night, you will hear the insistent howling as they call you home ...
From my heart to yours,
Robyn
Robyn Lark Wakefield
mentor, coach, guide and muse
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The Urban Goddess MuseLetter is a bi-monthly publication providing inquiry, inspiration, community and support for all who are committed to creative, authentic and unbridled self-expression. Exploring native intelligence, creativity, non-duality, imagination, diversity, art, love, vulnerability and other real life stuff.
The contents of this newsletter may incite euphoria, uncertainty, heightened self-confidence and/or doubt. The author is not a Medical Doctor, Licensed Psychologist or Ordained Minister. Matter of fact, she was required to take two years of Related Math in college and still doesn't know her multiplication tables.
Urban Goddess ® is a registerd trademark and trade name. All rights reserved. © 1992-2011 |
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Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet - thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing - consistently.
- Lance Secretan |
Kiss My Bliss!
In Celebration of the
Wild Woman Archetype
Sunday, July 24
Urban Goddess Home/Studio
for women only
Be Bold - Let Go
Follow Your Bliss! |
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Everything
will line up
perfectly when
knowing and living the truth become more
important than
looking good.
- Alan Cohen
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Grow Your Authenticity
1. Know Thyself
The good, bad, ugly and beautiful. Make a 2-column list: the true you and the faux you. Study it closely.
2. Embody Your Values
No more pretending. Say what you mean, mean what you say - exude integrity. Begin participating only in those activities that truly reflect your core values.
3. Follow Your Bliss
Figure out what REALLY turns you on and gets your juices going. And do THAT!
4. Don't Believe In Me
Believe in yourself first. Then, if you still believe in me, I'll be flattered!
5. The Express Express
Share who you are without compromise. Some people will fall away, but your packmates will come running. Spread realness around like wild flowers.
there is only
one of you
celebrate that |
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