For many years, I would walk into a room and hope people liked me. As I have gotten older, I walk into a room and decide whom I want to like. It’s not because I think I am all that. I'm not. It’s because I get to decide who I let into my life. Not the other way around.
All too often we bring our “representative” with us and pray someone likes what he or she sees. The bad part about that is your representative isn’t you. But because you decided to show up with them, you have to now keep bringing them with you every single day. EXHAUSTING!
I no longer bring my representative. I bring Brinn and sometimes Brinn is loud, petty, feisty, sarcastic, and brash. Other times she is loving, generous, courageous, and sensitive. No matter which Brinn shows up, you always get the real me. I am the same everywhere I go- church, home, and work.
Today, with social media, we carefully curate our lives. Even in writing these posts I look for the perfect pictures and try to write the perfect sentence. Although, I KNOW perfection doesn't exist, I still strive for it. (The pursuit of perfection is dumb and fruitless. I know.)
Slowly, I am learning about the gift that is imperfection. My friend Angela, introduced me to the book, “The Gift of Imperfection, by Brené Brown. In it, Brené challenges us to let go of who we THINK we are supposed to be and embrace who we are.
By embracing who we are, only then can we be our true authentic selves. Brené defines authenticity as, “…the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle; and nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe that we are enough. Authenticity demands Wholehearted living and loving—even when it’s hard, even when we’re wrestling with the shame and fear of not being good enough, and especially when the joy is so intense that we’re afraid to let ourselves feel it. Mindfully practicing authenticity during our most soul-searching struggles is how we invite grace, joy, and gratitude into our lives.”
Today, dig in the crates of your heart and dust off your authentic self. You might just like what you find. #LivingMyTruth365
xo,
B
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