Genuine Insights

The Authenticity Barometer

Over the last month I have monitored my interactions with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues and have realized I am now obsessed with measuring the authenticity levels of those around me.

Personalities vary within our lives and it’s an interesting exercise to analyze both the verbal and non verbal behavior and intentions of those on the other end of an interaction. To demonstrate my point, I decided to categorize and rank the top five groups of people you can expect to always be authentic with you.

Top 5 Authentic Groups

1. Children under the age of 3
2. Elders, grandparents and those over 70. Like children, they know no other way.
3. Cause related people. Volunteers, because of their personal passions, ethics and commitment to change, they’re usually fully present mentally physically and spiritually. That exchange is extremely rewarding. So, If you are currently not participating in any volunteer work, get started. The genuine experiences are extremely refreshing.
4. Female Intellectuals. Women are natural nurturers and if you add a dash of intelligence to the mix, you have the recipe for confidence which gives women the space to be raw, un-censored and symbolically naked within the context of friendships. Thank God for this blessing.
5. Husbands and Wives. Whether you agree with them or not you can always expect your partner to be authentic with you which is hopefully one of the reasons why we marry them in the first place.

During your next meaningful interaction with someone, think about this exercise and decide whether they are keeping it real with you.

Posted Apr 5, 2008 Tagged under: authenticity, relationships

How the mind works

This afternoon while surfing the net for “new information” I came across a site called TED.com (which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design). This WOW SITE is worth me sharing with everyone. If you need a quick fix of inspiration with a dash of intellectual stimulation and are a closeted “science geek” enjoy this lesson on how the mind works by Jill Bolte Taylor.

Posted Mar 19, 2008 Tagged under: fat brains, ideas and innovation

Honoring down time on Captiva Island

On Thursday morning, my husband and I, said goodbye to our two year old son Lucas and ventured to Sanibel / Captiva Island for a three day, “toddler free,” “honor your down time or die“ mini vacation. The objective was to rest, heal, and reconnect with one another after experiencing three weeks of illness.

After only a 2 1/2 hr drive, we safely arrived at the Sundial Sanibel Resort, which on a scale of 1 to 10 is a 5 and not worth a return visit and headed straight for the beach. What we found once our toes hit the sand was a festival of shells, sea urchins and whelk egg cases all along the coast line. We had heard that it was what locals call “shelling” season but this was outrageous. I have never, in all my travels, experienced such an abundance of vibrant colorful shells in all shapes and sizes for the picking. There were sand dollars, sea horses, fan scallop shells in golden yellows and ruby reds and purples. It was beautiful, exciting and like all the other visitors i could not wait to begin my treasure hunt. Fathers were shelling with their fathers, daughters were shelling with their sisters, brothers with their cousins and multi-generational groups of traveling friends all shelling with one unified mission = to find that one special, “Oh my God, this is the best one yet“ shell. After three days, Stephen and i collected over 60 amazing shells and the center shell was a Stephen winner.

Overall, the mini vacation was excellent and here are my Authentic Take Aways:

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Posted Mar 16, 2008 Tagged under: authenticity, celebration, reflection

What do you do when your immune system doesn’t keep up with your “To Do List”?

Last Sunday I was heading to NYC for an over booked week of both personal and professional activities and as I headed to the airport, I ended up in the emergency room instead. I was experiencing a severe sharp pain in my right side and feared I was having an Appendicitis. After being immediately admitted, I remember lying on my cot, in a hallway (all rooms were occupied) hooked up to an IV thinking “_thank God, now I can finally get some rest_”. I was alone, without laptop, no two year old , little to no mobile service, thinking finally I can pause. Two Percocets later, I was visualizing stop signs, pause and mute buttons and hearing my body say to me: “_hold please, we are having complications and can not move forward._”

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Posted Mar 4, 2008 Tagged under: reflection, self-awareness

About this blog

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This is my provocative blog for global modernists in search of authenticity, marketing advice, personal branding tips and insights on all things authentic and real. To learn a little more about me, look here.

Posted Feb 23, 2008 Tagged under: