I know, it’s a strange title isn’t it? I was thinking about fashion today and designers. Lately, I have been interested in fashion and how to create a wardrobe that will interchange and match to create several outfits on a budget. In my seeking, I have seen a lot of great designer things and also the knock offs of them as well. A knock off is a replica of the design from the original designer but it’s really not the real deal. It might be less expensive, but it’s still a knock off.
To the less discerning eye no one would be able to tell the difference but to those who know fashion it could be quite obvious that the item is a fake representation of the original designer. What an insult to the designer, right?
It occurred to me that this can apply to us as well. We can present ourselves as authentic or we can present ourselves as a fake knock off of our real self. The thing about being fake is that we have to live with the knock off and to the discerning person we are not kidding anyone. Just like the original designer of high fashion items, being a knock off of our real self is insulting to our designer who created us all to be unique and real. When we don’t walk according to our real truth we present that knock off of ourselves to the world. It might not hurt anyone, accept maybe ourselves, but our designer knows the truth and would like us to be authentic.
We can be authentic when we know we are loved just as we are and that is enough for us. We can be authentic when we don’t try to compete with others or try to be like someone else. We are authentic when we stay in integrity as to how our lives are being lived. I understand we do not all wish to air all of our dirty laundry to the world. That is not what I am talking about. What I am saying is to walk in integrity of how we are feeling for the moment, every moment. We might be down, upset, happy, joyful, grieving, or struggling. Regardless to what we are, walking in integrity of who we are is walking as someone who is honoring our designer. We are a work in progress and no one is perfected. How will others offer their compassion when we are presenting a knock off of our real selves?
When pursuing something in life, pursue that thing that God has gifted you with, not what others might pursue because you think life is greener on the other side of the fence. Believe me, the life on the other side is just the same and our own side of the fence is much more authentic and profitable for our soul growth.
Today, remember to be the best authentic you that you can be! You are amazing even on your worst day or night. You are a treasure even when you are grieving or upset. When you make a mistake God never sees you as a mistake. He is there to help the authentic you be the created blessing He intended you to be. Ask yourself every day if you are presenting yourself as a true authentic version of who God created. Align yourself with your own destiny, because someone else’s purpose is not going to serve you or others. Your deepest heartaches will never be healed if you live as a knock off of the real you.
Loving you from here,
Dr. Jenine Marie Howry
Life Lessons by Jenine Marie 