Campaign for Authentic Self-Definition, Part 1.

Campaign for Authentic Self-Definition

Part 1.

“Everyday Transformers: The making of a superhero;
risk taking and shape shifting”

On my radar the last few weeks – - people with the moxie to live authentic lives; those super humans, by my estimation anyway, who’ve found a way to manhandle the risks and challenges of life and use them in super grand ways.

Picture it. A woman born in the 1930’s who came of age in the 50’s, an era of conformity and rampant conservatism. An extra 300 pounds and a colostomy bag worn because of colon cancer marred her adolescent body. Rather than efface herself because of these physical dilemmas sadly often ostracized by mainstream society, she used them. A lover of adventure with an appetite for the unusual, she joined the circus.

Always free-spirited and enterprising, she launched her own line of designer shoes, Bootstraps™, for extra large people 10 years later. She never looked back. She did not abbreviate her passions for the purpose of meeting the status quo. Nor did she allow herself to be struck out by the numerous curve balls thrown by life. She lived deliberately holding herself accountable only to the vision she held of herself and the life she desired to create. That woman was my great aunt. And I have been fabulously blessed to know many others like her – - people who are consciously rebellious, audacious and wildly creative.

There have been the scores of clients I’ve worked with over the years who hold steadfast to creative entrepreneurship in spite of courting bankruptcy because to do anything else would collapse the life moving in them. The full flock of musicians, filmmakers, writers and actors I know and love who float between part-time gigs and the full-on hustle required by anyone trying to manifest their creative work in the world – all of them understanding those shots in the dark guarantees nothing. Finally, there are the modern day gypsies – artisans, sailors, storytellers – who are among some of those closest in my life who seem to move with the wind, sacrificing a 401(k) and a “room of one’s own” because they place a higher value on those things in life that are priceless. And even though many would deem their actions impractical or irresponsible – these people, for better or worse, are my tribe. For everyone else, there’s MasterCard and the general consensus to play along – especially if it promises social validation and spares us from being judged.

Living an authentic life is not for the faint of heart. It’s difficult enough to step outside the herd, particularly to forfeit all of the assurances we have been conditioned to believe we would be incomplete without. More difficult still is to design your own path of action because originality provides no blueprint. This is the great risk, and the common ground shared by all who refuse to buy into pre-fabricated lives. This resistance costs many of us in ways that can’t be measured by conversation alone. To do your own thag requires constant guts, constant imagination, constant conviction. Unrelenting faith.

For me, and many of my friends, remaining undaunted by the nebulous financial assurances of self-employment and the subsequent challenges like home ownership, time for serious relationships, yearly vacations, etc. is an ongoing battle. Still it is a burden I’d much rather bare if it will help me leave this world one day knowing that I spent my life making choices that reflected the truth of who I chose to be and not what the court of public opinion decided for me. Although this way of being in the world doesn’t necessarily add consistent cash to my bank account (i can hear my momma saying “MONEY HONEY!”), it certainly advances my self-hood. And on my super human days, that makes it worth it for me.

When I’m feeling depleted and doubtful about the path I’ve chosen, I remember all my clients who – for the last 10 years – have graciously allowed me to share in their eradication of fears and advancement of goals. If I’m in turmoil about my personal dreams and how helplessly bound I am to them, I remember my artist friends (those who’ve hit the mark and those still aiming) who march on because they’d rather die having lived for something they believed in than live believing in nothing.

Some say that life is an adventure or nothing at all. My gypsy friend’s lives remind me that there is no grander challenge than to be committed to the moment – the marvelous unfolding of such a rich life in tiny little seconds and sunsets that bleed all over. I want to be on that ride – where I am present and attentive to the passions of my heart and imaginative enough to transform the traumas that come my way. I want to do this because I can. Because it’s literally in my bloodline (and yours too – search it out). In fact, I have no choice but do it because I haven’t been able to reconcile fading into the general meaninglessness of the collective voice.

In spite of my fears, occasional self-pity and pouting spells, I will continue to campaign for authentic self-definition. I will take whatever life throws at me and use it for my greater good. I am a transformer. I am my aunt Doris.

Tips for authentic living.
1. Excuse the popular opinion of “they say”
2. Identify your values in life
3. Find out what makes you tick, and what prevents you from ticking
4. Determine your cutting edge
5. Imagine a vision of yourself and the life you’d like to lead
6. Create a vision board, complete with necessary action steps
7. Begin a practice that helps you stay in touch with and motivated by your self-vision/life-vision
8. Connect to your vision in an emotional and spiritual way
9. Find a cheerleader and an inspirational character (real, imagined, dead or alive
10. Be steadfast

How to ignite the transformer in you.
Identify the challenges in your life that weigh you down (people, places, situations, sickness, etc.) See what wisdom, self-knowledge, skill, or lesson they are providing. Use it to expand.

Need help?
If you need assistance with any of these tips, please feel free to shoot me an email at neycha@tobeconscious.com. I love facilitating the making of super heroes. And my next Campaign for Authentic Self-definition workshop is coming up in the fall. Plus, please post your comments/thoughts here if you feel so inclined.

Personal growth is a choice. What are you choosing?
www.tobeconscious.com

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