Authenticity - what does it mean to be authentic?

The word 'Authentic' for me shows up as "essentially being comfortable in your own skin": So there is an alignment between what you value, believe, think, say & do and this congruency is felt in oneself and most often transmits to others as a felt-sense & perception of authenticity.

Some research suggests that it is prosocial narrative & likability that effects how people perceive the authenticity of a person. I would say it is more to do with who people believe to be genuine in what they say (i.e.. how they express themselves in more original/individual language that reflects their authenticity rather than stock strap-lines) and it is this that also engenders trust & respect. We can respect someone for expressing their beliefs and not necessarily agree with them.
 
So another layer to add to this is of course is political wisdom. It has been suggested that: 'so-called "social chameleons" are better able to position themselves for success within their social environment than highly authentic people'. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive as 'context' is key. Authenticity isn't for me about 'what you see is what you get'...tah dah!! It is much more nuanced than that.
Part of our  'socially constructed ideal self' needs to tolerate responding in different ways to different contexts. Our authentic self will still be guided by our intent and our core moral compass.
 

Resilience - what do we understand this to mean?

 

The word resilience has risen in usage over the last 10 years and this morning on BBC radio I heard an analogy that I thought helpful. A Cricket Bat: well the process of getting a cricket bat, match ready. This process is to oil the bat and to knock it with a cricket ball. This process of keeping flexible (oiled) and the experience of dealing with small knocks helps to be prepared for the bigger knocks on the pitch, as in life.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” Charles R. Swindoll, resilience plays a significant part in helping people to respond to life’s knocks and make the quickest, wholesome recovery.

From the research I did for my MA dissertation in 2012 on this topic, 3 key points became evident as components of being resilient. The techniques that emerged as the most helpful to keep you at your most resourceful were:

  • Seek help from trusted advisors to get Flexible and Accurate thinking on what is troubling you, to curb any catastrophising and help get perspective on the particular issue                                               
  • Self-efficacy – this is belief in yourself and your ability to overcome adversity. This core belief enables you to come through difficult times because you have prior evidence that you have come through adversities before
  • Keep your Connection to a good network of people that help lift and refuel you and to your sense of purpose, your 'raison d'etre' in life.                                                                           

Two other aspects that were considered important in the ability to keep resilient that came out of this research, were Vulnerability and Gratitude. With vulnerability it is about having the courage to face our vulnerabilities and work with them rather than trying to ignore or hide any vulnerability. And with gratitude it is about taking the time to stop and pay attention to what you have in your life that you are grateful for, including the small things as this practice changes your state to a positive and optimistic one.

Resilience may be defined as embracing the world as it is and finding the personal resources within us to negotiate the challenges of life.