Recently, I've had no patience for conversations about authentic marketing, authenticity in social media or authenticity as a value. This seemed strange to me since I deeply value living and working authentically.
So, I got curious about finding the disconnect.
And, I am thrilled to have been richly rewarded.
At the beginning of my recent mid-summer trip to Phoenix, I complained bitterly to all who would listen about the oppressive wall of heat. Then, I met one of my clients,
Doug Hecker, for lunch. He politely and firmly told me, "We don't talk about the heat. There's nothing we can do about it, so we ignore it and focus on what we like.”
Eureka!
And, how great to have clients who teach me so much!
Let me explain: The authenticity of my personality required me to complain about the heat because I am a person who hates heat.
The authenticity of my Self, the part of me who's made in the image and likeness of God, involves focusing on the good and a positive mental attitude.
My main purpose for going to Phoenix: to meet my coach,
Stephen McGhee’s, coach
Steve Hardison – one of the most remarkably authentic people I’ve ever met – more than worth all my heat discomfort. And, oh, the delicious chilled cilantro-lime crab dip at
The Herb Box and the yummy sweet potato and zucchini fries at
ZinBurger. And the amazing people I got to spend time with - including two married couples who have been married more than three decades and still adore each other and love spending time together! And, oh, the gorgeous desert views from my friend,
Judy Flynn’s rooftop – which I enjoyed each morning at sunrise when it was only a cool 90 degrees!
What a powerful spiritual awareness to realize that the most authentic me comes from my Higher Self, not my personality! How freeing to enjoy this stupendous view from Judy's rooftop deck in Scottsdale even though I think I feel too hot! Wow! Did I get a visceral experience of choosing my authenticity from a higher place! Who knew there even was such a thing?
I’d love to hear your experiences. In what specific situation might you have noticed yourself living authentically from your personality rather than your Higher Self? In that kind of situation in the future, how can you shift to living authentically from your Self?
On a recent teleseminar with Sonia Choquette about her new book, “The Answer is Simple . . . Love Yourself, Live Your Spirit,” I heard her say several times, “change the channel.” Referring to more consistently choosing to live our spirits rather than our egos, she reminded us how to know the difference.
When we live from our ego, we need to control, be right and defend. We choose from fear; feeling contracted, small and ineffective.
When we live from our spirit, we’re loving, patient, intuitive, creative, open and courageous. We feel expansive, confident and effective.
So, when we notice we’d like to change the channel to spirit, how do we do it? The quickest way: do something we love, with bonus points if we’re moving our bodies and/or getting outside!
I keep a Top 12 list of things to remember to do each day to keep me feeling great, keep me living from spirit. I have all my clients do the same. Each person’s is unique. Mine includes snow shoveling this time of year – I love snow and I get to move my body and play outside. Many people do not like to shovel snow, but some love to hike or take their dog to the dog park, two things I don’t like and don’t do!
What’s on your Top 12 for Spirit list? Write your list, post it where you’ll see it and you’ve created an easy way to change the channel any time you’d like!
