Authenticity does not always demand verbosity. I am thankful for yet another Stoic philosopher, Paconius Agrippinus. As I understand it, he was a man who excelled at metaphorically marching to the beat of his own drum. It did not matter if others around him were moving to a different tune. He knew what mattered most to him, and he owned his authenticity. He proudly stood out as a bright spot amid much plainness and blending.
Agrippinus lived during the time of a leader who was basically the opposite of Marcus Aurelius. Nero has a terrible track record as emperor. Despite this common knowledge, he still ignored invites to palace parties, and he accepted exile over forceful acquiescence. In a way, instead of falsely and unjustly bending the knee, Agrippinus resisted with glee.
To state the obvious in case the bluntness is necessary, this lesson is even applicable in present day. Do we give into fear like current administrations and leaderships are trying to monger? Or, do we keep our focus on our lane, doing the best we can, while also doing our best to ignore anything outside of our control? If it affects us down the road, then we will act accordingly and authentically then. Until then, we can still live our best life. We can choose to color it however we like or feel is best as a personal choice as well as a gesture of dissent against those who wish to see us suffer in solid and soiled silence.
Accept right now that you are magnificent. Being your real, true, authentic self is what’s most awesome about you.
-Gabby Bernstein
Do you silence yourself? Have you heard or felt a call to do more, to fully own your best life? If you are ignoring your own authenticity, then are you surprised that you may feel off or broken? I believe that authenticity leads to wholeness. Do you want to be a fragment of your true self, or do you want to step into your entire breadth?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
-Mary Oliver
Do not let others silence your best, and please do not silence it yourself. Sit with yourself in silence for some time, reflecting on this sugjestion. How can you begin to channel and embrace more of your best and true authenticity? How can you make Agrippinus and countless others proud of how you shape your lane similarly? Not identically, but proportionally perfect. Authenticity comes in many shapes and sizes. Find your true shape. Identify your best size. Please, do not sacrifice or compromise but thrive.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.