Authenticity: What is the Recipe?

Even when you remove all illnesses and depravities that cause people mental wear, there is something missing that will always cause a void in peoples hearts especially living in this current era we’re a part of. A desperate outcry in this world for it so evident, it’s presence is made so obvious. This desired object is what I believe to be Authenticity. I would be willing to claim that this desperation for finding Authenticity in something, someone, or within yourself is such a driving force it pushes people to do the impossible, albeit even crazy. I’m sure there’s a skeptic reading this already that would like to challenge this claim or perhaps even a joker making a mockery of the word “Authenticity” itself in the context of this discussion. I’ll be getting my point across to you with mere observation and experience with people of every variety; so yeah you can take this piece for either easy debate material or satire. Nonetheless, let’s dive into why I believe it to be so desired.

Let’s first take a look at the current world were a part of: A blessing and a curse is what the Digital Age is. Within the first 2 decades of the 21st century, you have information about anything easily available within the device in your pocket. This lends you yourself as an individual endless possibilities of attaining information, skills, etc. Amazingly though, this is a double-edged sword. With the advent of more easily available knowledge, comes more easily accessible almost anything: Ideas, Commodities, and even people. This is by no means all that bad, in fact it’s been convenient for many facets for society. The drawbacks is the lack of authenticity, almost entirely in anything. Think about it. Odds are you could have an idea for a great business venture or supposed intellectual thought, one web search could instantly prove you wrong or already accomplished. In that lies the only issue. When you pair this up with the Capitalist nature of our economy and a consumerist culture, you have a lack of Authenticity. So what does this mean for people?

What does this mean between you and I as individual people within this now explicitly unauthentic world? Well obviously desire. Something I find about people that is fascinating, whether or not we want to accept this truth: is we have this desire to be special. This is a big point from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. I am a solid believer in free will without a doubt, but I’ve come to this understanding working through a variety of positions 9 years, 4 in sales and another 4 in healthcare.

Who wouldn’t want to be found special to someone?

To be “special” requires a level of individualism that everyone strives for. This first step is to attain first is an identity. After all, you wouldn’t necessarily be “special” if there wasn’t something that made you different correct? Many people go to surprising lengths to maintain an “Authentic” identity and that is the core reason why I began writing this. One of the driving factors that separate us to be “special” is differentiation; we THINK that being authenticity. Those that are different or have this “authenticity” are the type people are most often drawn to, whether it reflects an inner desire or not. The reason to it, is because it breaths what is ever so missing in our day to day life now; Authenticity.

We’re back in full circle now.

Even still in whatever meager attempts we may take to change ourselves to have this certain air of “originality” to feel special, (it could be as minute as a change of hair color to taking courses of learning certain etiquette even!) it all becomes devoid of any of this feeling we yearn for and finally meaningless. So that leads to another question, how do we as people get to this level of Authenticity for ourselves? Yes, that’s the real money question: What exactly does it take? Well it’s both certainly an easy question to answer but also one you just cannot determine from just after reading this lone google document I’m writing either. It’s a deep question to undertake in asking “What does it take to be authentic?”

Originality is not the core ingredient of your character that makes you Authentic.

While originality is a fantastic quality to have, in this day and age it is near impossible. (just reread that bit I mentioned about the Digital Age!) If you can be Original in a certain area that separates you from the rest, more power to you. But just because you’re not doesn’t mean you’re not the least bit authentic either. Here’s an easy example from my personal experience: I love the work I do (I work as an MRI technologist) and I will proudly claim myself to be of a good caliber in what I do. But at the end of the day I can name three other people at the top of my head more experienced in what I do and deservingly so are better. The best part is they can take credit for my development as a tech, as most of my imaging techniques and positioning stems from their teaching. I am, therefore, not an “original” technologist when I talk about how/why I perform my exams the way I do. I am however authentic in my devotion to my career and the great lengths I go to improve. It’s something I continue to do, it’s something I truly love. Now this type of authenticity is what you or anyone else is capable of as well. If I make it sound so easy, why did I drag this on as much as I did?

Here’s your answer: you need to find out for yourself. I believe there’s an objective approach in finding what’s considered “Authentic” or straight up bullshit for people. Ironically, it’s something you need to find on your own and determine for you. Especially if this is a quality you want for yourself.

It’s a continuous process.

Now what you should already know is that you are already special; But only to the extent of how genuine you are in what you do, how you approach other people, and who you see yourself as. Cliche right? I don’t believe so. I think it’s more commonplace that people lose themselves in what can be am overbearingly tiring world. Hell I know more successful men and women than me who are not the least bit happy with themselves or anything they do. I don't think this is due to a lack of success or achievements, but a loss of what matters. A loss of the Authenticity to be found in life.

The tumultuous struggle that life is, can be a burden enough already. Why even pursue such a task? Simply put, no one likes boring. No one likes regular. No one likes bland. Not even yourself. There’s so much more to life than survival or paycheck to paycheck. I can’t tell you what you should do. You’re responsible for whatever choices you decide to take on.

Speaking from my short experience in life so far meeting a myriad of people and learning about myself is this least much:

One recipe you could give someone or even treat yourself to that bleeds authenticity begins with unconditional love. In this journey of being more Authentic, you will be able to confide in yourself truthfully, open up to someone who makes you feel extraordinary, and experience a perspective on life unlike anything else. The only way you’re going to find this in yourself or others is to take those steps. To be brave and not settle for the fake.

Start loving yourself.

Be Authentic.