Filtering authenticity

Ideally, authenticity exists in a personal vacuum. It should not need filtering through learned behaviour except we have little choice unless we have skin made of rawhide at a young age when we begin to understand very early that being too authentic has its definite consequences.

To fit in, people suppress authenticity, keep it behind closed doors or perhaps share it only with kindred spirits in settings where it is condoned. They find outlets where they can let their hair down and be more themselves.

In essence to openly embrace authenticity one needs to disregard the societal rules which threaten to dampen it. The less the custom makes sense, the more we are emboldened to disregard it and live as we desire. The risk we take in being shunned is weighed against our interest in pleasing people who know nothing about us and whose opinions don't matter one whit.

It is unfortunate that one learns to live properly well past the halfway point which is the price we pay for acquiring experience.