On Authenticity in Living and being

[dangerpudding]

This isn't actually meant as a dig at anyone. It's more a built up rant at something I see all over the place that really annoys me in all of its aspects. I hope nobody takes it personally, but if you do, feel free to contact me to talk about it.I often see/hear people talking about "living authentically" and I can't help but think - I don't think

Comments

[tapati]

I've run into this issue while moderating a forum. People feel like they are being insincere if they can't say things like "I wish you were dead." They've argued the point with me. I argue right back that you can express your authentic feeling in a manner that is not abusive. Some people just can't grasp that. It makes me wonder what kind of relationships they have.

Really, sometimes our "authentic" feelings should NOT be acted on. As a parent, sometimes I really didn't feel good about getting up in the middle of the night or mopping up vomit or changing diapers or breaking up the 5 zillionth fight between siblings. (I encountered a great slogan when I was parenting: children's needs aren't more important than your own--but sometimes they're more immediate.)

Life is about balance, and one of the most important balances to strike is between your needs and wants and those of others you have interactions or relationships with.