Had a great little conversation this morning about being positive verses being authentic. We were in full agreement that we by far preferred being authentic over being phoney positive which seems to be what many groups encourage.
I have nothing against thinking positive and looking for the bright side or what is positive in any given situation. What does rankle me a little is the idea that we always need to be positive even though we don’t feel it. Why not be honest instead? I’ve found that I get through my down times much faster and with more grace when I tell the truth both to myself and others about where I am in the moment instead of pretending that nothing ever goes sideways for me. When I make room for what I’m feeling and let it be then there’s no resistance, no battle with it and it passes as all things do. One of my favourite sayings is ‘This too shall pass’ because it’s true!
It used to break my heart a little when I was in ministry and people would tell me they didn’t come to church that Sunday because they were feeling low, and they didn’t want to bring other people down or they thought they would not be welcome if they weren’t all happy and bubbly. Sad to say some people don’t welcome us being real but that’s their problem in the end, not mine. What’s wrong with just saying I’m feeling a little low today or I’m feeling sad or nervous or frustrated or whatever is going on and leave it at that. We don’t have to get into a big, long story about it with everyone we meet but we also don’t need to pretend all the time.
I’m into the ‘let’s be real’ movement (I’m actually just starting it). Happy to have anyone join me, but if it’s a one-person show, so be it, I’m too old to pretend anymore!
Namaste
