Writing Sample 1 | Stacey Deveca

In my last post I opened up about my issues that prevent me from being my complete authentic self all of the time. I wrote a paragraph about how I cut corners from living my truth and how I fear being judged and rejected. Well, apparently the Universe read my post and decided to give me a heads up, because, ironically, I received two weekly?newsletters?that I sign up for covering the topic of living authentically, despite the opinions of others. The first was an email from The Wellness Warrior. In this email, Jessica Ainscough wrote about how she was tempted to curtail a blog post she was working on so that it wouldn?t spark controversy, as she has strong opinions on the topic she was presenting. However, she realized that if she did this, she would be selling herself, and her blog, short, as she has made it part of her mission to be as authentic and honest as possible. If she were to focus on making her blog post diplomatic and bi partisan,?she would be excluding her personality and the quality that makes her unique from other wellness bloggers, from that post. Here is what she had to say about this in her weekly newsletter:

?This week, I was also a special guest at an event called ?Soulpreneurs?, and I was asked to speak about how I?ve built my business based purely on authenticity??I told the audience about how I?ve been rewarded with so much abundance in direct proportion to the amount I?ve unapologetically been myself.

So, if you experience criticism in your life, I want you to remember this:

Don?t attach to it. It means that you?re making a difference ? if you?re not receiving criticism, it means you?re not being authentic. It doesn?t matter what we have to say ? there will always be vocal people who don?t agree. Every single person who has made a difference in this world has faced opposition for it. Always speak your truth ? even if your voice shakes.?

As if this beautiful message weren?t enough, I then realized that the weekly newsletter from The Simply Luxurious Life had made its way into my inbox, and I proceeded to digest it. About ten seconds into reading it, I had already realized the synchronicity. In this newsletter, Shannon Ables wrote about how mentors and role models are amazing sources of inspiration and guidance, but at the same time, we need to make sure that we choose our own path and seek the things that are important and relevant to us. Society will often give us rules and boundaries to influence how we go about our lives and this may be totally fine for some, but for others, this?conditioning?may not allow them to live their life to its fullest potential. She emphasized finding the courage to break away from taking the path most traveled and, instead, finding a route that will make us feel totally alive. To dare to be and honor who we are, even when we meet resistance and?nonacceptance.

Here are several excerpts from her newsletter:

?Role models are meant to inspire us and show us what?s possible. Mentors are meant to lead us and guide us. And while it is a wonderful blessing to have such people to look up to, it is important that we realize our own uniqueness?

?As Anna Quindlen alludes to in today?s quote, we?should not?try to be exactly as everyone thinks we should be -?following the trail that someone else has left for us. Instead, we should follow our own path.

We can use that?trail provided by our role models and mentors?as?a starting point or as a checkpoint, but we must be brave enough to?charge out on our own, let our hair down and be ourselves ? our authentic selves.

?Ironically enough, it is easier to follow?the path that someone else suggests we travel than it is to find the courage within ourselves to simply?be our best selves. Because when we follow the ?rules? we can blame someone else if it doesn?t feel right or we can feel a?faux calm upon doing what is needed to be?accepted?

?Instead we should accept who we are individually and not apologize for finding contentment in a life that?others may not understand.?

These were the words that inspired me yesterday, and which I might be adding to the pages of my planner, because this is precisely the area that I need to work on. Being authentic is of up most importance, because with it we will accomplish what we were placed here to do. This isn?t just about becoming more confident or ridding ourselves of silly insecurities (although these are wholly important). Our ability to be ourselves influences our ability to fulfill our life?s purpose, which doing so makes everything else in our lives much more satisfying and meaningful.

As Marie Forleo often says, ?The world needs that special something that only you have.??Those singular traits that ?single? you out and make you feel insecure and different, those are the ones that need to shine, because the only way to stand out and hold value among so much competition, is to charm the world with your?personality and unique way of expressing yourself. When you do so, you inspire others to do the same, and contrary to what most believe, you become more?likable?and attractive.

A great example, albeit a bit fashion oriented, is this: Which models, when interviewed backstage, are most memorable and seem the most personable? the ones that come across as uninterested and lacking in personality (a.k.a. ?normal?) or the ones that boldly talk about topics that interest them and say it like it is (a.k.a. authentic)?

To conclude, here is the quote by Anna Quindlen that Shannon included in her newsletter:

?Nothing important, or meaningful, or beautiful, or interesting, or great ever came out of imitations. The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.?

-Anna Quindlen

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Source: http://staceydeveca.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/writing-sample-1/

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