Living An Authentic Life 1 | Page 11

Cultivating An authentic life Living an authentic life begins with introspection. In order for us to be true to ourselves, we want to establish a deeper understanding of who we are and what we stand for. It requires being open-minded, tolerant and accepting of change. An authentic life also allows for continuous growth, improvement and enlightenment. When we choose the path to authenticity, we do so knowing that we are making a conscious decision to put into practice daily. Like any new habit, adopting a mindful point of view requires us to pay attention moment by moment. As we progress, we are more aware of past pretenses and learn to let go of them with a lighter heart. This also allows us to free ourselves from emotional hang-ups and deep-seated frustrations. Opportunities present themselves to recalibrate our lives and focus on being the best version of ourselves. Getting started • Establishing Your Values. Sometimes it may be uncomfortable or even complicated to recognize your own ideals and desires. These are your core values and your sense of honor that establish the foundation for who you are. Often we hold onto the same values that we were taught and grew up with. However, some of those principles may have never resonated with us or our values have naturally changed over the course of time. By reevaluating what feels right to us in the present moment we bring ourselves clarity and establish our true self. [ 11 ] l i v i n g a n a u t h e n t i c l i f e CC B Y - NC - N D 4 . 0