What does it really mean to be authentic? There are so many levels, so many nuances. I named my business Authentic Arts, I claim to try to live authentically. But what does this really mean to me? What does it mean to you?
Let’s start with a dictionary definition (From the Miriam-Webster online dictionary)
au·then·tic Pronunciation: ə-ˈthen-tik, ȯ– Function: adjective
- […]
- a : worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact
b : conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features c : made or done the same way as an original - not false or imitation : real, actual
- […]
- true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character
Definition 2 • echoes my continual attraction to and movement toward how things were done before. A moving back to the source.
- Growing my own food
- Preserving that food
- Knitting sweaters
- Purchasing hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn/hand-carved wood/handmade paper/etc from craftspeople instead of having a factory make them for me
- Hand-knotting necklaces on silk thread instead stringing them on memory wire or fishing line.
- Collecting my family history in the form of fine china, stories, rings, and memories.
Definition number 3 • seems to me to refer to the authenticity of my physical world. I am always drawn to authentic materials whether they be for:
- my outfits – cotton, linen, wool, leather.
- my house – hardwood floors, handmade wool afghans, a free-range bunny.
- making my jewelry -stone, bone, shell, silk, seeds.
- knitting – bamboo needles, natural, hand-dyed yarn of wool, cotton, bamboo, silk.
I’m also drawn to experiencing the natural world itself, which is the source of all the authenticity of the material world.
Definition number 5 • is also very important to me. I am constantly reminding myself to be authentic to my inner self and in how I relate to others.
- Making handmade gifts and only giving presents that are appropriate and meaningful
- Being truthful and honest to others and to myself
- Taking the time to respond to people, to connect with them. Even just to smile at them!
This is just a brief overview and sampling of what “Authentic” means to me and how that translates in my life and business. I am by no means all the way there, but Authenticity is my goal, my holy grail, my horizon and my struggle.
Please, join me in this discussion, what does Authenticity mean to you? I imagine that if you made it all the way to the end of this post, then it’s meaningful and important to you. Please share with us, help us increase our vocabulary of the Authentic and get down to the real meaning (maybe you have a poem, memory or experience to share, maybe a call to arms to inspire and embolden our efforts?)
Stefanie says
Oh Jenny, what a thoughtful and introspective post. Thanks for sharing. It really appeals to my love of words and the care with which we choose to employ them. I'm glad I'm not the only one who really considers the words I choose to define myself.
Jenny says
Thanks Stefanie. I do much better writing them when I have time to think about it than speaking them. Baby steps 🙂