The online dictionary explains authentic as ‘Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief’
Authenticity or undisputed credibility has always been one of the basements that form a good character.
But what is happening to authenticity? Over time, as man and his ambitions evolved, the desire and will to achieve at any cost overshadowed this gentle feather in character’s cap. Time and again, history opens out, biographies of many great men and women who have sacrificed truth in order to become what is called “known”. You could say, that all religions irrespective of the way they present it, have acknowledged authenticity as a trait that marks one as living in the right. But as humans questioned the very creation of themselves, they threw back the mantles of religion to be “free” people, living a life much pleasing to them. So in this process of maturing, the ideals of a good life were scattered in the winds of success. The focus on the end became such a passion that the way and the walks began to matter no more. Authenticity like many other noble traits stood on the outskirts, lost in the minds of those who really needed them.
Many of us would remember the story of two woodcutters who dropped their axe into a river only to be rewarded justly for their honesty by a river-angel. Honesty did not bring riches initially but eventually it did.
So why should I be authentic? The reasons are many and management books talk on length about the why and the after effects. But the important bottom line is; authentic living presents you in a picture, which you would love to see. Mark Twain puts it across beautifully “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.” How true is this statement! Anything done, which we believe is wrong or which the society at large has agreed upon as wrong, causes us to deepen our memory banks; which in turn lets loose the devils of stress and its wicked companions. Anticipation becomes an enemy as authenticity takes the back seat.
If you are able to be truthful at all times, even when pushed to cliffs and ledges of certain doom, the effect you portray on yourselves and others is that of a leader. Gone are the days when charisma played such a significant role in leadership, for the ‘leading by example’ syndrome has invaded the citadels of leadership. So in short, being authentic makes you happy for you enjoy the blessings of a stress free, no secrets lifestyle.
And how can I be authentic? Rudyard Kipling says this with great joy: “I keep six honest serving men, (They taught me all I knew); their names are what and Why and When, and How and Where and who.” What he tries to tell us is this: that before we do any task and give any answer, we need to ask ourselves or the person with relevant answers, questions using these six men, for that enables us to choose what we are going to do. In reality this is more like a tracker that keeps you on the path of a good leader.
When I had presented this to a mixed audience, the one question that seemed to matter most was “Do you think you can satisfy everyone by being authentic?” Selfish is a word that is looked down upon, for it draws the mentioned person in a poor image. But my answer to this question is this – you need to be selfish enough to accept that being authentic may only cause you to be satisfied. The ‘everyone’ who matters may have opinions and offers that may sharply contrast. Quoting from Mark Twain in answer: “Always do the right thing. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
As you can see for yourself, every person has to paint his signature on the beaches of time. What is important is not what you achieve but how you have achieved it. I have faced many who have said a direct NO to this statement of authentic living. My answer to them is only this: the truth will set you free.
I may evoke a mixed response from the readers, but do think. You have to make a signature on this planet – do you want it to be authentic or in the stamped, lied, bribed, wronged, hassled colors of ambitious achievements?
You were given the freedom to choose, so choose wisely.
God Bless
Ashley J P
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