If you're unsure whether you're living an authentic life or not consider some of these questions.
Do you feel successful on the outside but like a fraud on the inside? Is your public face a mask that reveals strength but the inside is scared? Do you have a sense of lingering lonliness in spite of the amount of people involved in your life? Are there people in your life that drain you? Does your career bring you a sense of peace and fulfillment? Do you make decisions based upon what others think or want, just to be accepted?

Our Authentic Self is that place, deep within, that has the answers to all these questions. Where our truths, beliefs, values and dreams live; our "genuine", our "individuality".  It is there that we know how we really feel, even though we may be uncomfortable admitting it to the world or even to ourselves at times.
Finding your Authentic Self and bringing it forth can be scary, and yet, it can be one of the most freeing experiences of your life.

When you come from a place of authenticity you make choices in life that feels right to you. That resonates with your soul; without the concern of what others will think. When this is accomplished you take on a life of free will. And there is no greater gift than that of free will.  The nineteenth-century Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said, "The most common despair is...not choosing, or willing, to be oneself, but the deepest form of despair is to choose to be another than oneself." If you're someone who's been living everyone else's life other than your own, it's never too late to awaken your Authentic Self and listen closely as the truth is whispered to you. This takes some courage. It means being willing to say no when you might normally say yes and the yes isn't authentic.You may realize your truth is wanting a more simple life, one that doesn't have to keep up with the Jones'. You'll need to create some personal time so you can get reacquainted with your Self and start to live your life. Allow yourself to be selfish. 

If the word selfish makes you want to run away as fast as you can let me share a distinction with you between Selfishness and Self-interest, which should help you embrace the idea that being selfish is really okay. Selfishness is when you take care of your Self, your needs, wants and life as a priority so you have plenty of emotional and physical reserve to help others without any resentment or anger.  It's about having your gas tank on full and when it starts to get low you fill it up again by taking care of your Self.

Self-interest is when you focus your attention and activities upon yourself to the exclusion of other people. There is no consideration for others.

So you see, when you take the time to be selfish, you're creating the opportunity to live more authentically, bringing you more happiness, which ultimately benefits your friends and family.

Give your Self a gift today. Let go of your have to and shoulds just for a little while. Slow down, listen to what you're heart is telling you. What do you hear? Look inside. Who do you see? When you start to see a glimmer of your Authentic Self, allow it to flow to the surface and take the steps needed to begin your authentic journey. Remember, it's the infinitesimal steps that can create the biggest transformation.

Linda Salazar
www.transitionalcoaching.com
lindacoachesu@aol.com