"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson speaks to upholding one's authenticity in a world full of pressure to conform. Staying true to your own values, beliefs, and goals is not an easy task, especially in today's stressful society.
When I think about authenticity, my 22 year old daughter comes to mind. My daughter is an excellent example of an individual who does not let other people's opinions determine who she is or how she lives her life. She is my oldest child, and she will be graduating from college in a few weeks. I admire her strength and confidence, and her willingness to assert herself in ways that allow her to be seen and heard. Recently, I went to see one of her dance performances at college. She had choreographed a dance to the song Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. I was excited that she had chosen this piece of music, as I used to listen to the song constantly when I was studying abroad in college. While it used to make me sad to listen to it, as it was a reminder of the challenges I was encountering at the time, it had also been oddly comforting as I navigated a foreign country as a young adult. The song still moves me today. It reflects on encountering the uncertainties and challenges of life, and developing the fortitude to navigate through one's fears and face one's adversities.
"Oh mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?"
While life is in constant motion, evolving from one obstacle to the next, we truly only have ourselves to count on. We have to make choices that we can live with, no matter what our friends or family think we should do. Whether it be our career, our significant other, or even how we spend our free time, we must decide what is best for us. We must trust ourselves to make choices that allow us to look in the mirror and say, "No matter what happens, I'm proud of myself for living authentically."
"Well, I've been afraid of changing
Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too."
