Genuine and Non-artificial

If it’s not real, I don’t want it in 2024

It’s the beginning of a new year. There is a great possibility that even a week in, some people have already pushed their resolutions aside. Something came up, or someone feels like they failed for a variety of reasons. What’s the use if I can’t tackle this, right?

I decided that this year it’s not about resolutions as much as it is about identifying what is real in my life. It may be a new approach for many, but I challenge us to look at this concept with a new lens and a brighter light.

If something isn’t real, do we really want it? Fake doesn’t mean temporary, either. We can be involved with stuff in our lives that is counterfeit or invalid for a long time and not even realize it. Perhaps we just don’t want to see it. These are things that imitate what we would like to be real, yet we settle for a substitute.

How many people stay in relationships with others where there is no sincerity? We get into situations where we can’t speak freely about what we feel or believe, and it can cause us to suppress who we are on the inside.

There’s an old song called ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Baby.’ The song speaks of how pictures and letters are nice, but there’s no replacement for the actual person. In one of the verses, the words are, ‘I play my game of fantasy; I pretend, but I know in reality I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me.’ Basically, nothing is as good as having the one they love, and at the end of the song, they are glad they have the ‘real’ thing.

Situations, people, or things that are false, deceiving, fraudulent, pretend, imitation, or phony come in so many more ways than third-party telephone calls. We use artificial substitutes in our food; we choose unnatural sources for our health and fitness, as well as many other countless things. So much of what we see, hear, and read today is staggering when it comes to being true. You can buy a replica of a doll that was popular back in the 60’s. When you get your hands on the real item that has the certificate of authenticity, it gives you an incomparable feeling.

So, what does this look like for me? What am I needing to change or take out of my life that is artificial? What should I cancel? With whom and where do I need to set more boundaries? Have I changed my beliefs to avoid offending another person? There are enough unrealistic perceptions in this world; we don’t need to portray something we are not to others just because we can’t be who or what we are and be accepted. Sometimes we do so to avoid negativity, pain, judgement, and/or we don’t want to lose someone we feel (or want to feel) close to. Where each person stands on religion, rights, freedoms, politics, and other controversies can cause a lot of conflicting emotions. There’s a time to stand up and speak, and there is a time to stay silent. But you should never have to lie in any circumstance.

Why would anyone want to be more genuine? Does it really take that much effort, courage, and bravery to be yourself? Being your most authentic self actually feels good. It removes barriers. You authorize yourself to advance away from the ‘I didn’t mean to’ or ‘I didn’t intend to’ excuses when you don’t have to second-guess yourself when making decisions.

Who inspires you? Think of at least one person (and name them) in your past that you have had a lot of admiration for being genuine. Name someone in your life currently that you know is genuine. What quality was different about them? How about you? Where are you genuine? What needs to change so you can forge the path for yourself to be completely forthright? This revelation may require you to set time aside and sit down to identify where areas of your life exist that aren’t genuine.

Be sincere in standing up for what is honorable, even if that means being unaccompanied. When you are real, you inspire others. The world needs more credible humans (non-artificial). When you aim to live with strong convictions, you gain respect for yourself. Others may or may not follow; so be it! Being honest and having principles takes away from having to portray anything dishonest and allows you the freedom to be who you are!

The world needs more genuine, and it begins with you and me! Here’s to doing away with the artificial in 2024!