Have you ever experienced that nagging feeling of something being amiss in your life, even though you were diligently carrying out your daily routines? Picture this: you stroll into your workplace, and a friendly face eagerly exclaims, “I’ve missed you!” Without a second thought, you blurt out, “I missed me too!” Suddenly, a realization strikes you — you’ve been unknowingly absent from your existence all this time.
This profound journey of self-discovery is explored in the book “Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life” by Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani, a co-founder of Mindvalley. Drawing from her personal experiences, we delve into the transformative power of embracing our flaws and living authentically.
The Binary Nature of Authenticity
Authenticity is a quality that often slips away from us as we navigate through life wearing masks and adhering to societal expectations. However, as author wisely observes, authenticity is not a concept that can be embraced partially. It is binary – you are either authentic or not. In her book, she shares a very interesting analogy from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel, “The Master and Margarita,” where Woland states, “There’s only one degree of freshness — the first, which makes it also the last. If the fish is second-degree fresh, it means it’s rotten.” This analogy stresses the importance of striving for 100 percent authenticity rather than settling for diluted versions of ourselves.
Moments of Introspection and Flawesomeness
Throughout her book, Kristina guides readers through moments of introspection, inviting us to question our motivations and desires. She believes that personal growth is fueled by curiosity and the willingness to explore our true selves. The concept of “flawesomeness” (flaw + awesome) was coined by Kristina and suggests that you are awesome together with your flaws, not despite them.
Authenticity and the Illusion of Influence
The book also addresses the relationship between authenticity and influence. While influence is an outward force that affects others, authenticity is an internal process, a connection with our true selves. Attempting to use authenticity as a means of influencing others dilutes its essence, transforming it into a tool for impression rather than self-expression. As Mänd-Lakhiani asserts, “Authenticity is about being true to yourself, not impressing others.”
The Irrelevance of External Validation
One of the key takeaways from #BecomingFlawesome is the understanding that authenticity is not contingent upon external validation. It is an internal process independent of how others view or react to us. Our self-perception, rooted in our beliefs and values, defines our reactions to the external world. Ts the author emphasizes, “How the outside world perceives you or reacts to you is irrelevant. Your self-perception is not defined by external factors; it’s your reaction to the outside world that stems from your self-perception.”
The Path to Embracing Flaws and Living Authentically
Stepping on the path to embracing our flaws and living authentically can be both liberating and challenging. It requires cutting the connection between our self-perception and external influences. By cultivating a strong relationship with ourselves, we build harmonious relationships and create genuine fulfillment.
In the book Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani shares her wisdom and insights, reminding us that the power to live authentically lies within each of us. It is a journey of self-discovery, where we learn to embrace our flaws and celebrate our uniqueness. As we begin this transformative quest, may we find the courage to unleash our authenticity and live our lives to the fullest.
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