Being authentic

"The energy of being real has more power than outright persuasion, debate or force of will." Mark Nepo

Nepo compares our being real like the sun, which shines equally on all things, helping plants to grow, keeping warmth in the world.  David Hawkins has said similar things in his writings; that the more authentic one becomes, the more one influences the world in ways of peace, love and harmony -- without even trying.  In this time as caregivers, we are stressed, overworked, overtaxed -- and yet; I would say that we also have some time to devote to becoming authentic. So, how do we do that?  There are many ways that great thinkers suggest:  be willing to understand and grow from one's dreams, meditation, reading literature or watching dvd's that help us to shed what is not authentic - thereby becoming more authentic.  Artistic expression can help us to get to who we really are.  As humans we develop personas in reaction to the experiences we have in school and in life that cause us to reject parts of who we are.  It seems to me that it is a life practice to go back and regather those aspects we have rejected and to live from that more fully-human place.