What does it really mean to be authentic? Most of us marched through our education like aunts on parade, rarely entertaining the thought of being out of step. Like most small suburbs, where I came from, challenging the status quo was atypical. Besides the handful of, for lack of a better term, "rebels," mostly everyone continued marching two by two in the same path. In an upbringing so socially structured, it's more challenging to march to the beat of your own drum, per se. Let's face it, insecurity, fear, desire, and acceptance equal one easily influenced ant. We spent the greater part of our formative years coloring in the lines and thinking within that darn box. And then, like a captive bird, we are set free into the complete unknown to spread our wings. Suddenly, the life of fitting in means you are the same as the person next to you. And frankly, this world has enough ants to ruin a perfect picnic. Instantaneously, it's no longer about fitting in, it's about standing out. Seems like a waste of prep time if you ask me.
And now, a quarter century old, with very little taste of this "real world" my parents always referenced, I can confidently get comfortable outside of those lines. I don't blame the system. And I have high respect for those that stay within it. However, to be perfectly authentic, I much rather create my life outside of that darn box. (even if sometimes I have to drag my better half with me).
Yesterday's face-to-face interaction was sold in exchange for today's Mac-to-Mac interaction (no judgement PC users). Our authenticity often lies within a new box-our computers. Effortlessly, we can convince our family, our best friends, the people we haven't talked to since high school, and even ourselves of anything we can fit into those 140 characters. It's so simple to be inauthentic today. That insecure lost ant can jump right in line and march up the social media hill with the rest of them without a thought of his own.
So then what? We convince everyone who is bored enough to read our updates about the fabulous cars we drive, how great our home is, or the amazing new bag we just purchased. Somehow I can't help but think this action is desperately seeking a big pat on the back "Hurrah!" reaction from our 347 friends. The point is, it really makes no difference whether your ex boyfriend knows about the mindless shopping spree you went on compliments of your new fabulous husband. Is that really you anyway? Anyone can be seemingly authentic via social media abuse. But forget the facebook, take away the tweets, bury the blogs, and what do you have left? We have ourselves- and are we convinced? Those that know us deeper than our "walls" can spot inauthenticity faster than we can click update. If you're truly happy, (or any other sentiment), there is no need to convince anyone of it; they just know.
Outside of the tweets, replies, and updates, are you genuinely authentic? Or are you misrepresenting you. We all can paint a perfect picture and claim it as real as long as no one dares to venture outside of that addicting box. It is much more fulfilling to be a real person than a http address. So march two-by-two in any path, to any beat, (DMB or not). March with those that really know you and maybe then you'll finally get that "Hurrah!" you've been seeking.
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