Be Real

The concept of grasping and experiencing the genuine and authentic part of life can seem increasingly more elusive with hyper-mobile societies and the advent of generative AI and deepfakes technologies, among a dozen other trends. Many of us run faster and harder in most every area of our lives than ever before in human history. The best deep and meaningful connections and true community requires an intentionality and a reduced speed that is in a state of friction with much of what surrounds us culturally and technologically. Despite all of those headwinds, my sense is that being real and authentic is worth the fight and effort. What does it take? Her are some practices to keep in mind and continually practice.

• Seek to give attention more than seeking it.

• Let others know they are important.

• Discern when others are being genuine or just masking and manipulating.

• Your own skin feels great on you, not uncomfortable.

• What you say and do demonstrates trustworthiness.

• Seek out simplicity of needs over the complexity of wants.

• Mature EQ enables you to manage critique and feedback whether on target or not.

• Aware of strengths and blind spots while avoiding both arrogance and self-depreciation.

• Consistentcy is a hallmark behavior.