You are meant to live an authentic life-a life that nourishes your soul, honors your heart, and provides you with meaning and satisfaction. A truly honest approach to your life enables you to act in empowering ways that are joyful for you. As a result, you go with the flow-letting go of guilt or worries about pleasing others who may have their own expectations of you

There are certain belief systems and traditional pressures from society and family that make it more challenging to be true to your self. Following are some practices that may help you integrate a greater degree of authenticity in your daily life.

Nurture Yourself. In many cultures it is considered selfish to think of oneself before others. However, if you don't love and nurture yourself first, it is impossible to fully give to others. Decide what brings harmony to your body, mind and spirit. Daily time for meditation, walks in nature, or listening to peaceful music may be ways of renewing inner serenity. Author Echart Tolle says, "When your sense of self is no longer tied to thought, is no longer conceptual, there is a depth of feeling of sensing, of compassion, of loving- that was not there when you were trapped in mental concepts. You are that depth."

Dare to Honor Your Uniqueness. You are here to discover your true self and to live honestly in the moment from that awareness.

When Mary realized that she was not always working with clients she enjoyed or that respected her time, she began to gently let go of several clients, and to make space for new ones that were in alignment with her desires. She wrote out her intentions to work with appreciative people who honored her time and her unique talents as a speech therapist. She intended that each relationship be joyful, productive, compassionate and easy-not a struggle.

Two weeks later she began working with several new clients. She noticed that the qualities she asked for during her stated intentions were beginning to appear in her life. Soon, she was enjoying her work, feeling greater personal satisfaction. The new clients were also less demanding on her time. Consequently she spent a couple of hours a week nurturing her garden at home-her favorite hobby.

Do you express your unique talents? Do you enjoy your career? Do you generally like, love and accept yourself just the way you are? If so, then you are honoring your sacred uniqueness. Article for Women: Ageless Beauty

Listen to Your Heart When Giving.You are authentic to yourself when you give to others from your heart. Before you say yes, ask yourself if you are giving from obligation only, or trying to please another with no regard for your desires. Notice any feelings of resentment or anger within. That's a good way to check your intentions. Others also naturally sense when someone else is acting from the heart.

When giving from the heart, you'll feel a sense of expansiveness, a delight in what you are doing, and a lightness of energy. When you make a decision, be aware of what you are feeling both physically and emotionally. This will make it easier to act upon clear decisions as you follow your heart.

Lynne bought an Australian sheep dog from a professional breeder. When the puppy, Milo, was five weeks old it was clear that he was both blind and deaf.

Normally, Milo would have ended up in a shelter or worse. However, Lynne opened her heart and lovingly committed herself to becoming Milo's seeing-eye person. Milo lived to be a healthy, happy dog for fifteen years.

This experience changed Lynne, who bought 283 acres in Willits, California and began an animal sanctuary. Lynne and her staff help more than 1,200 animals to be rescued and placed in homes each year.

Fulfillment From Within You can choose to be peaceful and to be satisfied in the moment. Or you can choose to make changes in your life which enable you to feel greater satisfaction , purpose and meaning. You can also choose to love and to respect your self rather than being a victim of situations or of other's actions. By choosing qualities such as love, optimism, going with the flow, and trusting your inner voice, you will invariably enjoy fulfillment from within.

There is another side of the coin. I am sure we have all heard someone complain, perhaps often, about how unlucky they were because of a certain situation. Or perhaps another person caused them pain or loss. The typical response for the complainer is to blame, and to feel sorry for themselves and victimized by another person or situation.

When living authentically, you understand that you create your circumstances and your life. If constant challenges and negativity seem to be a part of your daily life, it is essential to see how you may have created those challenges. You are responsible for taking action, for making choices, and for how you feel and respond to others.

Being aware is the first step toward fulfillment. Don't hesitate to find expert support and guidance to make desired changes. Being guided with compassion is important.

Know Your Intentions When you ask for Spiritual guidance, listen to this higher guidance, and follow it, your intentions will become clear.

Dana was wondering about the right career for her. She was inspired to pick up a book that talked about the deeper qualities she desired. She realized her new career must include recognition, creativity, a sense of deeper meaning and purpose, ease and prosperity.

Purify your intentions by recognizing when your intention is split, by pleasing others and giving from a sense of obligation, for example. Notice your energy and feelings regarding any intention. Do you feel resistance or do you feel open and alive?

Living authentically and with honesty is not always easy. Yet it is truly fulfilling. You can be self- confident, happy and purposeful-using your unique talents with joy, as you contribute to the world.

Monthly Technique

This month, check in with your higher guidance and your "gut" feelings. Notice when you feel harmonious and light when you make important decisions. If you feel resistance, see if you can make an alternative decision that will allow you to feel happier and more alive.

Monthly Affirmation

I honor my uniqueness. I intend to listen to my heart and to higher guidance, as I act accordingly.

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Copyright for this article by Marcie Hunt, 2006, 2007. If you would like permission to use this article, please email marcie at: marcie@marciehunt.com
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