‘How I would love to see Fela Kuti in concert!’
That conversation took place a good number of years ago. I didn’t
know who Fela Kuti was. I just needed to keep up the conversation, since everyone
around me was educated in all things African music.
‘How I
would love to see Fela Kuti in concert!’
Not until someone
whispered. “Beverley, Fela Kuti is dead.”
Another
one, rather uncomfortably said, “I’m sure she was talking about his son.”
Those were
the years when I was still living my inauthentic self, with an insatiable need
to appear in a certain way before people. I needed people to perceive me as
intelligent, educated and interesting. Their validation was all that I lived
for.
Do we even know
what we sound like?
When there
is no one else prodding us and whispering things in our ears, do we know what
we sound like?
When nobody
is amplifying our sound on a pedestal or dimming our sound by muting our
efforts, do we really know what we sound like?
We have
been told innumerable times, to speak up and speak out. This does not mean we
need to shout. What it means, is that we need to make our authentic selves
heard.
There are
so many inauthentic people, those who hide their flaws. Instead of saying,
“Please
tell me more about Fela Kuti,” we go on a continuous verbal onslaught, against
our better judgement and make fools of ourselves.
There’s
something pure about vulnerability, about letting go of people pleasing, of
understanding that ‘No’ is a complete sentence. The more you abandon yourself
to please others, the more you’ll forget who you are.
What are
your values? If you value healthy eating, prayerfulness and exercise, then walk
away from those who dim this part of you.
If there
are spaces where you always feel like you are second guessing yourself, walk
away. They are muting your authenticity. Whether it’s siblings, spouses, work
colleagues or old friends, you know that they are interfering with your journey
of self-awareness. Just let them go. On this journey, you will find those that
will nourish you.
Authenticity
is being able to acknowledge your flaws, apologize when necessary and give
credit to those that deserve it.
It’s
knowing that the more you hold onto the breadcrumbs being offered on some
platforms, the less you’ll be able to experience the yeast that helps you arise
every single day.
Join me
this evening on 20 February, 2023, at 7pm EAT, on this important topic, as I wind down my excellent seven years
of service at Toastmasters. The topic: ‘Identify Your Authentic Voice.’ The
registration link is here.
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