AUTHENTIC LIFE
you can be pleasant and very kind,thoughtful,and nice while still being genuine and honest with others.In fact,the most charming people are those who tell you the truth in a loving way. This is the combination for all to aspire to :Being Real,Nice,Loving and Honest.
Everyone can relate to real human emotions.so when you admit how you really feel, it's a relief to people to know that others feel the same way they do. In this way, by being honest with others, you're being a teacher of how to live an AUTHENTIC LIFE.
Many people confuse being honest with being aggressive.That's becoz for so many years, the average nice person was passive and silent. But that has all changed thank goodness! These days, it's essential for nice people to speak up about the issues that are near and dear to their hearts.
For instance, if your child is having difficulty with a teacher, it's very appropriate for you to hold meetings with either that teacher or the principal. this is an example of you taking action becoz you love your child. You speak up and are honest becoz that's the only the way to protect him or her.
In personal cases being genuine can bring blessings, too. For example , You and a group of friends go to movie. the movie is awful and you do not want to watch any more. and even your friends do feel same but no one is putting forward their thoughts openly, as they are afraid to say anything and ruin everyone else's time. and you whisper to the friend next to you " I am not enjoying this movie are you?" Your friend smiles with an relief that you have put into words exactly how he/she feels.You leave the movie early and go to restaurant and enjoy a nice meal together instead.
Again , Speaking up doesn't mean aggression.speaking up simply means that you own your feelings and state them clearly without blaming anyone else and without anger or sarcasm in your statements.
People-Pleasing is a form of being controlling and MANIPULATIVE. It stems from fear,not from LOVE.People-Pleasing comes from the place of unworthiness and undeserving feelings. you're convinced that other people won;t like or love you if you show them who you really are.
Remember that you're a creation of God,Made in the image and likeness of the divine creator! everyone and everything that god creates has Divinity and inherent natural beauty and uniqueness.YOU ARE DIVINE!!!
(Above content is from book "Assertiveness for earth angels: How to be Loving instead of 'TOO NICE" by Doreen Virtue " Thanks to her for wonderful book)
