Wow! Thank you! Right on time. All day I’ve been thinking how lonely it is at times. How to put into words the feelings because I know there’s others feeling the same way and I just want them to know I get it! And I feel it too. You are not alone. Keep holding the torch of hope and fighting the fight. the sacrifices I make today for my grandchildren’s future will be worth the battle providing them a life of freedom. Freedom I’ve never known.
Being authentic is the most personal work. Only you can find that authentic version and nurture it into a mature, realized self. It is very lonely sometimes. And often the words just aren’t available, can’t be found.
In those moments I have found that listening to music brings the words to me and then I can write or maybe process my thoughts more clearly.
Other times, playing music (for me it’s on guitar) or doing photography, or maybe some art (I like graphite, chalk, and pastels) helps me express what I feel and think without any words at all.
I have found that being authentic can hold you back from the type of life progress that most people view as important and desirable. But it does allow you to look at yourself in the mirror everyday with the satisfaction of being at peace with the image you see. And it also confirms to your loved ones that you are exactly where you want to be.
Being able to look yourself in the mirror every day and accept both the questions and answers, the thoughts and emotions, the mortality that hits you as you do, and embrace it all, be at peace with it all—getting to that place is a profound achievement. Perhaps the most profound we can experience in this life.
It’s the essence of self-acceptance, where you embrace your complexities, imperfections, and fleeting existence with grace. Reaching this state of peace requires courage, introspection, and a willingness to confront the raw truth of who you are.
It’s not a destination or a one time achievement, but a daily practice—a quiet triumph of living authentically. Everyday and in each moment.
Being authentic emboldens others to also live in ways that make them feel like they can too! It helps people say yes to their God given direction to serve in a way that is unique!
I completely agree with this. It seems like it should be second nature, but from time to time we need a reminder. It can be lonely sometimes, but only if we're insecure, which I'm not. Thanks for reminding us who we should strive to be and why it matters!
I have a plaque on the wall of my office that says... A person can ONLY put their priorities in the correct order after they recognize the SIGNIFICANT difference between the lifespan of this life versus the lifespan of this soul.
It must be done with authenticity!
I love how you are able to articulate the EXACT reasons why you believe as you do. Thank you for being Just Human!
It is challenging to watch people you thought were friends and even family continue to want you (me) to fit into their mold, be the way they think I should be living. I love this article and thank you for putting this into words so eloquently! Much love brother ❤️
We were created to be individually authentic and that’s why it’s the only path to a good life. It’s what God intends for each of us….just as our dna, fingerprint, eye, etc. is unique! Thank you for the reminder!🙏
Well said JH. To this day it surprises me that such a message need be stated. I've never been anything but authentic. Yes, it's got me in trouble sometimes but I know no other way to be. I've known inauthentic people. I don't like them. Or at least I see them as weak and scared, in need of help. When anyone asks me about my children (all in their 20s), my response usually includes a comment about how proud I am of them for choosing to be themselves rather than bowing to pressure to please other people. I never consciously taught them that but I guess it's contagious!
Wow!!! Just Human please keep writing. You have a definite gift! Your writing today really hit the mark for me as I celebrate myself being "comfortable in my own skin" and happy with the beautiful design that God made me to be. Your writing hit me at a transitional point in my life . God bless you brother!!! Please, I love your detailed videos but WRITE more!!!
I am an artist, NOT a sports fan. I grew up in a sports centered family so for most of my young life I pretended to like it all. Then I decided I just couldn’t do it. I always say, if you are a sports fan, you have more friends - so why would I want a bunch of friends that make me feel I need to keep pretending. You are so right!!! THANKS!
Wow! Thank you! Right on time. All day I’ve been thinking how lonely it is at times. How to put into words the feelings because I know there’s others feeling the same way and I just want them to know I get it! And I feel it too. You are not alone. Keep holding the torch of hope and fighting the fight. the sacrifices I make today for my grandchildren’s future will be worth the battle providing them a life of freedom. Freedom I’ve never known.
Being authentic is the most personal work. Only you can find that authentic version and nurture it into a mature, realized self. It is very lonely sometimes. And often the words just aren’t available, can’t be found.
In those moments I have found that listening to music brings the words to me and then I can write or maybe process my thoughts more clearly.
Other times, playing music (for me it’s on guitar) or doing photography, or maybe some art (I like graphite, chalk, and pastels) helps me express what I feel and think without any words at all.
God bless you and yours, SouthernNana.
I have found that being authentic can hold you back from the type of life progress that most people view as important and desirable. But it does allow you to look at yourself in the mirror everyday with the satisfaction of being at peace with the image you see. And it also confirms to your loved ones that you are exactly where you want to be.
Yes.
Being able to look yourself in the mirror every day and accept both the questions and answers, the thoughts and emotions, the mortality that hits you as you do, and embrace it all, be at peace with it all—getting to that place is a profound achievement. Perhaps the most profound we can experience in this life.
It’s the essence of self-acceptance, where you embrace your complexities, imperfections, and fleeting existence with grace. Reaching this state of peace requires courage, introspection, and a willingness to confront the raw truth of who you are.
It’s not a destination or a one time achievement, but a daily practice—a quiet triumph of living authentically. Everyday and in each moment.
God bless you and yours, FrontierFren.
Being authentic emboldens others to also live in ways that make them feel like they can too! It helps people say yes to their God given direction to serve in a way that is unique!
Amen!
Amen! Thanks, Kyle!
Miss you. I haven’t been able to listen or watch BL. I’ve been thinking of you and truly miss your authenticity.
I completely agree with this. It seems like it should be second nature, but from time to time we need a reminder. It can be lonely sometimes, but only if we're insecure, which I'm not. Thanks for reminding us who we should strive to be and why it matters!
I have a plaque on the wall of my office that says... A person can ONLY put their priorities in the correct order after they recognize the SIGNIFICANT difference between the lifespan of this life versus the lifespan of this soul.
It must be done with authenticity!
I love how you are able to articulate the EXACT reasons why you believe as you do. Thank you for being Just Human!
It is challenging to watch people you thought were friends and even family continue to want you (me) to fit into their mold, be the way they think I should be living. I love this article and thank you for putting this into words so eloquently! Much love brother ❤️
We were created to be individually authentic and that’s why it’s the only path to a good life. It’s what God intends for each of us….just as our dna, fingerprint, eye, etc. is unique! Thank you for the reminder!🙏
Well said JH. To this day it surprises me that such a message need be stated. I've never been anything but authentic. Yes, it's got me in trouble sometimes but I know no other way to be. I've known inauthentic people. I don't like them. Or at least I see them as weak and scared, in need of help. When anyone asks me about my children (all in their 20s), my response usually includes a comment about how proud I am of them for choosing to be themselves rather than bowing to pressure to please other people. I never consciously taught them that but I guess it's contagious!
Wow!!! Just Human please keep writing. You have a definite gift! Your writing today really hit the mark for me as I celebrate myself being "comfortable in my own skin" and happy with the beautiful design that God made me to be. Your writing hit me at a transitional point in my life . God bless you brother!!! Please, I love your detailed videos but WRITE more!!!
Thank you! I will do both. : )
God bless you as well.
I am an artist, NOT a sports fan. I grew up in a sports centered family so for most of my young life I pretended to like it all. Then I decided I just couldn’t do it. I always say, if you are a sports fan, you have more friends - so why would I want a bunch of friends that make me feel I need to keep pretending. You are so right!!! THANKS!
Very nice essay! Authentic!
Thank you Kyle!
Thanks for letting me be myself in your chat, even when I was going autistic ADD quite often. Man, the digging we did. That was fun.
That was fun and I am glad you were there. : )
Video version
https://justhuman.substack.com/p/authenticity-wins-303?r=74z9x&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=audio-player