From Daily OM:  At birth and throughout your childhood, your thoughts and feelings were more than likely expressions of your true self. Though you may have learned quickly that to speak and act in a certain fashion would win others' approval, you understood innately that you were no ordinary being. There are many ways you can recapture the authenticity you once articulated so freely.

Meditation can liberate you from the bonds of those earthly customs that compel you to downplay your uniqueness. Also, communing with nature can remind you of the special role you were meant to play in this lifetime. In order to realize your purpose, you must embrace your true self by letting your light shine forth, no matter the consequences.

Rediscovering who you are apart from your roles and traits takes time and also courage. If, like many, you have denied your authenticity for a long while, you may find it difficult to separate your true identity from the identity you have created to cope with the world around you. Once you do find this authentic self, however, you will be overcome by a wonderful sense of wholeness as you reconcile your spiritual aspect and your physical aspect, as well as your inner- and outer-world personas. As you gradually adjust to this developing unity, your role as a being of light will reveal itself to you, and you will discover that you have a marvelous destiny to fulfill.

The mastering of authenticity has become clear to me as being vital to successfully manage our overall vibration.  By being authentic and aware we naturally create a more graceful expression of what we desire and the ability to have wisdom and foresight when circumstances (contrast) arise in our lives. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj-miyaElIs

Learning how to and then practicing expressing authentic feelings openly, honestly and in a high functioning healthy manner is key to being on purpose, feeling an underlying joy about life and contributing what we came here to do.  

Let's take this weeks circle time to discuss the many ways we are taught to not be authentic, to deny our feelings, desires and aspirations.   

visual Meditation on authenticity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTrzykqSoFk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5F6343DE0F28BF91

How have you ever spiralled into dysfunctional thinking, beliefs and actions?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v6CDIAKJcU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLAF09EC071639F41D

Daily OM:  Although, as we proudly share our off beat traits and preferences with the world, we take great pains to downplay those eccentricities we ourselves deem odd. Instead of living lives colored by these quirky impulses, we seek out socially acceptable outlets for our peculiarities. We may not realize that we are editing ourselves in this way because our individual societal awareness is unintentionally attuned to the attitudes of the people we encounter each day. Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of individuality. To rediscover and embrace these buried traits, we need only ask ourselves what we would do if we knew for certain that no one would judge our choices.

Visualizing this day without judgment can help you better understand the idiosyncrasies that are an important part of who you are but seldom manifest themselves in your existence. Perhaps you secretly dream of replacing grown-up, conservative clothing in favor of a changing array of costumes. You may envision yourself painting your car electric-green, hugging the trees in a crowded local park, singing joyous songs as you skip through your community, or taking up an exciting hobby like fire spinning. Try not to be surprised, however, if your imagination takes you in unexpectedly simple directions. In your musings, you may see yourself doing things such as breaking out in dance or dying your hair a fun color. Regardless of the nature of your suppressed peculiarities, ask yourself what is really stopping you from making them a part of your life, and then resolve to incorporate at least one into your everyday existence.

Life as we know it is so short. Making the most of years we are granted is a matter of being ourselves even though we know that we will inevitably encounter people who disapprove of our choices. When you shake your tail feathers like no one is watching, you will discover that there are many others who appreciate you because you are willing to let go of any inhibition. By doing this you help others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you and, each time you revel in this simple fact, you rededicate yourself to the celebration of individuality.

• How are you being authentic? 
• How are you not authentic?
• How has not being authentic kept you from your dreams?  Being 100% comfortable with yourself and your life?  Accomplishing a goal?
• How has being authentic allowed your true purpose to become transparent?
• How has being authentic given you the strength to take actions that may have been outside of the norm? 
• What are your experiences or tools to accomplishing being in truth with yourself? 

I look forward to time with all of you Tuesday evening - RSVP's are appreciated.
Nancy