Authority figures are individuals who hold positions of power or control within a system. They are often recognized for their expertise, influence, or ability to enforce rules and regulations. Understanding them is essential, as they can significantly shape societal norms and individual behavior.
It's crucial to think critically and evaluate information from all sources, including authority figures. Blindly following anyone can be harmful.
Remember a time when you encountered a doctor, teacher or a lawyer. You didn’t question their stance; you didn’t question their opinions. You accepted everything that was coming from them as truth because of their authority.
We often seek something from authority figures because we believe they possess power; this is why we comply with their rules and regulations. We seek external validation to feel better internally. However, once we release the need for external validation and acceptance from authority figures, we can recognize the truth.
You cannot become your true self while seeking the acceptance of others. You need to be uniquely yourself, living authentically from your core values, rather than adhering to rules imposed by others. While compliance may be necessary within a system, stepping outside of its constraints frees you from self-imposed limitations.
Nothing can truly hurt you when you no longer seek the system's approval. You may not see it now, and you may still believe you have no choice, but the freedom exists. The goal is to become a whole, integrated self, free from the scarcity mindset and self-imposed limitations. Societies and cultures evolve, and some norms and traditions may need to be reevaluated and abandoned to become your true self.
It's not about changing society or its structures. You need to cultivate a sense of freedom where no one imposes limitations on you.
Communication: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
The problem isn't that we treat authority figures with respect; the bigger problem is that we're not direct about our intentions. We steal, cheat, and lie, always trying to manipulate the system. Indirect communication is the root of many problems. We always lie to get something or to protect a false sense of self.
Out of politeness or a desire to avoid hurting others, we often don't say what we truly mean. We constantly apologize for our actions, prioritizing appearances over authenticity. We care more about being perceived positively than about the source of our actions, thus we are protecting this false identity. This approach, while seemingly safer, leads to many misunderstandings.
Imagine always expressing your wants and beliefs without excessive need for self-importance. Excessive self-importance is an excessive investment of energy in people, things, events, or situations. It manifests as arrogance, boastfulness, or constant apologizing and self-justification. You don't need to convince anyone of your worth. Let go of the need to protect or prove anything other than your genuine self.
Direct communication is key to solving problems. It is saying what you mean, and answering honestly without overthinking everything. This comes naturally when you release self-importance and the need to be right.
Self-awareness is important, but interactions must be genuine. If someone is mean to you, don't pretend everything is fine or try forced kindness; it's inauthentic. Be true to yourself and stop pretending to be perfect to achieve certain outcomes. We are interconnected, but we need to be real and accept our feelings and experiences. If someone is clearly disingenuous, why pretend otherwise? You likely do it to feel better about yourself, reinforcing a false sense of self ("I'm always kind").
Act naturally, but without relying on expectation of instant results. You can’t constantly control your reality. Self-importance manifests in different ways as pretending,
wearing masks, or denying your reality.
Put aside your pride and accept yourself as you are, because confidence isn't achieved; it's realized. The striving for confidence is a pretense, a denial of the truth—you are already confident.