My mid-year “Word of the Year” review

I just know that there were more than a couple of you wise folks out there, who, upon discovering that I had taken on “authenticity” as my word of the year cringed just a wee bit.  You then felt an all-encompassing compassion for me and silently wished me the best.  Which is the same thing I would do if the tables were turned. 

The thing about putting out such a loaded, subjective, and impossible-to-achieve intention as “authenticity” is that, well, it’s daaaaangerous waters.   Because a funny thing happens when one decides to claim something as bold and rare as authenticity: people really begin to listen (I mean, who doesn’t want to be their authentic selves – ALWAYS - without having to overthink it…which, of course is the OPPOSITE of authenticity).

And, not only do people begin to listen, but they also begin to project.  That is to say, they project their own inauthenticity onto you because they are now questioning their own.  So what I have invited into my life is a reflection of my own behavior in the behavior of others.  And with that, there are multitude of images staring back at me, images that don’t belong to me, but it is difficult for me to sort out those energies that I am responsible for and those I am not. 

The point is, I did not realize what a massive undertaking this WOTY (word of the year) would be – perhaps had I known, I would have chosen another word.  But the thing about the WOTY is this: IT CHOOSES YOU, for better or worse, so your WOTY is no mistake.  And, to be fair to my word, I have indeed learned a lot this year, most importantly about the ways in which the ego can easily slip-slide into inauthenticity, disguised as something else.  I have also learned some new ways to recognize when this is happening so I can decide whether I am gonna DO something about it - or whether I can do something about it – or whether…just maybe…the inauthenticity I am feeling is not my own. 

It’s a tricky business, this getting to “know thyself.”  And since I still have over 6 months left on this word before it expires, I best just buckle up, remember to breathe, and pray. 

L’chaim!

xo

maureen