April 25th, 2010 by rob white
I remember, as a young adult, trying to be myself through indirect means. I thought I was my car when I was sixteen, and I thought I was my job in my twenties. What a fabulous feeling of freedom I experienced when I scorched the false beliefs that convinced me – what I do and what I have determine who I am. Where do such foolish notions come from?
The truth of the matter is that our BEINGNESS determines what we do well and our BEINGNESS is the magnetic vibration that attracts what we have in our lives. I had this marvelous insight while at a prior New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival: Life’s most precious jewel, like a genuine rare diamond, is when we simply allow ourselves to BE who we really are.
Have you ever watched a jazz or blues performer being carried high by his or her genuine expression? It is SO REAL that it touches the soul of everyone in the room. Is it because of the talent or is it the absolute authenticity that gets to you and me? Hmmm.
I will be enjoying the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival again this weekend, and while attending the concerts – I will remind myself repeatedly that there is something in everyone attending the festival that is waiting to guide that person to her or his own authentic expression.
How do you open yourself so your genuine expression flows through? You must turn from the world’s advice, and go deep within yourself and listen to that still, small voice. If you do not go deep within and listen, you find that you spend your entire lifetime dancing like a marionette to other peoples tunes, rather than expressing yourself in genuine ways that have you gracefully soaring high like an eagle.
What is that still, small voice saying to you? Have you found your authentic expression? Have you found what stirs your soul, yet? I will respond to your comments when I return Tuesday. Thank you.
See Mind Adventure pictures from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Here
Nice article! It’s cool that you went to a Jazz festival. I’ve never went to one; only went to hear a band at a restaurant a few times. I love jazz; the music is beautiful and you can tell the the players are passionate in what they’re doing. They set a good example of being who they are and express it to the others in an authentic way. Like you mentioned here, we need to put less emphasis on trying to be like other people and put more emphasis on trying to be ourselves. Thanks Rob.
What I love about being oneself, Hulbert, is that it really takes no trying; t’is very natural! We have learned for so long to ‘try’ to be someone other than ourselves that we’ve forgotten how easy it is JUST TO BE .. be what? OURSELVES! blessings,
Hi Rob,
I find my authentic expression by meditating, following my heart, and trusting my instincts. I listen to my inner guidance which always leads me in the right direction.
I also do my best to not care what other people think. Other people’s opinions can cloud your judgment.
Have a great time at the Jazz Festival!
Those are a lot of great habits to create, Greg ….meditate, follow your heart, trust your instincts, listen to your inner guidance (which is your instinct). Great job. I expect transformation from you, Greg!
I love New Orleans. I’ve never thought of it that way before though. I’ve been there for Mardi Gras and had a great time. If I were to go back I would approach with a different perspective.
Perspective is everything, Rus. Life is no particular way in general …. it is always as we expect it to be. Ah, the miracle of life – ever changing!
I had a similar experience when I saw Yo Yo Ma play the Cello. I was up close in an intimate setting and just had a sense of awe. I felt blessed to be in the presence of a genius at work. It gave me a deep sense of peace and I felt like I knew everything was going to be alright. Almost a realization or a feeling that I can achieve my goals.
The reason we are in awe when in the presence of a genius, Carol Anne, is because we all are geniuses, and we sense it when others are demonstrating it. What a great feeling!
I had the good fortune of seeing Kurt Cobain play with Nirvana. This was really eye opening and inspiring. After seeing that concert I was convinced that I had to follow my own musical aspirations. Kurt Cobain was a very shy person, but when he started playing he was carried off into another world and gave some transcendent performances.
Thanks for that great insight, John. Kurt was only shy when the ego commanded his attention. While caught up in his music (his passion), the ego subsided and the authentic Kurt shined through – thus, the transformation.
Hi Rob. How was the Jazz Fest? I know what you mean about the car. I remember being so obsessed with my red Mustang when I was 18 that it became a part of me. I was so paranoid that something would happen to it I could barely enjoy it. My identity was so wrapped up in it that I didnt really know who I was. I have a much better balance now. I identify myself as a Chef but the difference is it is a means of self-expression.
Car or chef … car or chef …. car or chef … I choose CHEF! great choice GeorgieBoy!
the last festival i went too was long ago, now after reading the article i am eager to go to another one
one of the things i read when studying psychology of music is that intellectual people like jaz music, so you must be very intelligent Rob 
)
What thou be-est, thou see-est Farouk, if you see intelligence in me then it is because you sense awesome intelligence in you! Nice noticement.
Oh wow, you are at Jazz Fest! Yea! I planned to be there this year and became a bit occupied with other things. It is WONDERFUL. I especially love going to the clubs late at night and hearing people at the festival who come out to play until the wee hours of the morning. And the food! Ah, but onward…
A very good question, living with authenticity. I remember one Halloween deciding to go to a party as myself. That meant no pretense or false niceties, etc…Hmm, quite a challenge.
I can happily say, though, that I have lived my own authentic life for the most part. I don’t ever remember holding myself back from my chosen path because of someone else. It’s not that I don’t consider and embrace others, I do.
Fortunately my friends are supportive, encouraging, uplifting people.
It’s a good life when we follow our passion. My hope is to have the wisdom to see the signals to turn in the road when they appear!
I love your site, Rob.
Have tons of fun at Jazz Fest!
Lauren
I love the idea of going to a Halloween party as yourself. You are a creative genius. How natural you must have looked, Lauren. Did anybody guess who you really were? Ha Ha. Few folks have the free spirit (as you have) to NOT hold themselves back. Thank you for sharing that.
I am waiting for that something to guide me to my own expression. I miss that still, small voice. I do not hear it often anymore.
Hi Rob.
This is a good point. There are items we do that we feel are our fitting methods of expression. Mine where I get into the zone would be freestyle rapping, and for those musicians, it might be playing the trumpet, or so on.
The advice of the world is somewhat limited as it does not take into account the items that are only in our mind.
There will be a lot of self-expression at that event, and I think even people who wouldn’t enjoy the music can take away the feeling that they themselves need to self-express if they want fulfillment.
Amen, Armen … to your statement ‘feeling fulfilled requires expressing oneself authentically’ (I paraphrased). We are here to express and experience our unlimited nature, and that is the highest joy we can give ourselves. thank you.
Rob -
I like that music helped you unlock your authentic self. I find that meditating and listening to music has really helped me get in touch with myself. I have a very strong sense of intuition and try to listen to it. I think we all strive to be authentic – faking it and putting on a mask takes such energy and causes such pain. Thanks for a simple, strong message.
Phil
Yes, Phil …. it takes a lot of energy to be someone that we are not …. and it is wonderfully easy to be authentic and real. Thanks for feedback.
An inspirational post that really asks questons of one-self. Thank you for posting I really enjoyed the lessons and aha! moments during this. Cheers, Richard
My still small voice is telling me to pursue my singing career, but my husband is telling me to be thankful for my nursing job.
I can tell when I am BEING successful. Things go easily for me. I can tell when I am BEING a nuisance. thinks get difficult.
That is a great noticement, Loraine …. things go easy when you are BEING successful (which is when you are BEING yourself)!
I still have some beliefs to scorch. I still feel inferior when I am around beautiful woman. How ridiculous is that?
rob, I am confused. How do I know when my expression really is authentic, or if it is just an act?
You know, Cybervision, when your expression is authentic because there is a sense of joy that goes beyond what the world can offer. It comes from deep within, not from praise by others. YOU KNOW when you experience it!
I can see when my BEINGNESS helps me do things well. I am always BEING a great dancer, and no matter where I go to dance, people compliment me. I am not BEING a very good driver, and I am always getting nicks and dings in my car.
Wow, that is a powerful ‘noticement’ … Noreen. The first step to change is awareness. Good job
My cat os so REAL about her attitude toward other cats that it touches the sould of every other cat – they run! I think that is the opposite of what we are striving to do with our relationships with one another. I learn in reverse from ‘Tina’ (my cat).
I had to turn from the world (my friends) and so what was best for me. I signed up to go into the army. I need discipline in my life.
My husband still thinks he is his fishing gear. All he does is want to go fishing, and when he gets his gear together he transforms into another person. In a way I envy him, even though sometimes it bothers me.
My husband gets that way, Naome, when he puts on his jogging gear. I am glad I am not alone with that dilemma.
I scorched the belief that I need a shot of whiskey before I go on stage and do my comedy bit. What a great gift I gave myself by scorching this belief.
My beingness is stuck on old habits right now. Sometimes I feel it come alive when I am more creative. I bought a bike, and am planning a roadtrip. I expect my beingness will come alive!
It sounds like you are setting yourself up for success, Tom. Nice job!
I think far too many people think they are their house with the two car garage. They spend all of their time striving to get this and then spend all of their money maintaining this.
I my BEINGNESS determines what I do well, then I am a great start-up guy. I am BEING at my best whenever we have a new project to start up at work.
I tried being popular through indirect means – by hanging around with popular classmates rather than being my authentic self. It didn’t work. Now I am being me and I am popular.
I think being ourselves through indirect means is more natural than doing it through direct means.
Rob, what a beautiful post.
I remember once when I was at a jazz concert performed by some professors at my college I began to weep. I was so touched by the sheer joy that was emanating from the professors on the stage that it pierced directly through to my soul. I tried to hide behind my books and crouched down in my seat so my fellow students wouldn’t see me.
I remember thinking – I want to live my life feeling like that about what I do everyday too!