At times, I find it slightly mystifying how authenticity can actually be controversial in this strange world of ours.
Yes, it is a strange world, sometimes...
In talking to a friend earlier today, we got on the subject of things we might be proud of, that we don't speak of. Followed by the more interesting line of inquiry as to why we don't speak of those things.
So often controversy is a part of the picture... in the sense that speaking our truth causes discomfort, rather than being honored.
And I am not talking about having truths that involve anything disgusting or illegal or socially and morally corrupt... just truth that somehow ends up feeling "too personal" for those who choose not to examine themselves with any level of depth.
The lilacs will soon start to bloom
And that's the truth, in many ways. Most people wander their way through life, immersed in a trance-like state of never questioning the "why" and "how" of most aspcets of their existence, and never truly knowing why they are... beyond however they define the mainly superficial aspects of themselves.
I need look no further than my own parents, whom I never heard discuss anything more profound than when they next needed to paint the house, order heating oil or perhaps where to take their next holiday.
I should hurry to add that this is not a criticism of their ways... and it's hard for me to tell whether their approach to life actually made them happy, or even whether "being happy" was a significant part of what they were striving for, in life.
In some ways, I fear they might have reagarded happiness as a sort of unneccessary frivolity!
Apple blossoms in the garden
For some folks, my "controversy" have been the fact that simply talking about fashion, television shows, football games and what kind of car you drive has never much interested me. Which — at least to some — makes me a bit anti-social.
Not an evaluation, I agree with.
As Socrates famously (allegedly) said: "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Always made a lot of sense to me. I have always wanted to understand the why of life and people, not just live with the that.
One of the things that mystifies me so much about humanity is the general reluctance of people to "reveal themselves, as they are."
Not that I let that stop me from being myself.
Sometimes, though, I just wish I didn't feel quite so alone, in that approach.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week ahead!
How about you? Are you pretty comfortable with being publicly authentic? Or is that a thing for your private life? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!
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Created at 2025.04.20 23:27 PDT
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