Page 35 - Expert Issue 2015 (2)

Living an Authentic Life

By Annie Fonte

Photo Courtesy of Annie Fonte

It is my belief that our life offers us endless amounts of freedom, come to understand that life and things and events take on the
growth and joy. Remember as a kid, when the mainstay of each meaning that we give to them....and the meaning that we give them
day was to live with reckless abandon and fearlessly explore the comes from what we are taught to believe. Over time, we buy into
world and all that it had to offer? The daily mission of creating this personal conditioning and we begin to live ego-centered lives.
enchanted experiences gave life to super hero capes and turned I invite you to rid your mind of its clutter, lift the weight of this un-
your Mom's old dresses, shoes and jewelry into a treasure trove necessary burden and open your heart to the great joy and peace
of possibilities. When given a blank sheet of paper and a box of that being present in each and every moment freely offers. Live
crayons you immediately turned into an untamed artist. And then gracefully and unencumbered.
something happens: We grow out of childhood, stumble through
our teens, hit milestone ages like 18 and 21, leave home, go off Are you living an authentic and abundant life? Are your days
to college, get jobs, fall in love, get married and have kids only to exhilarating? Is your life filled with wonder, joy and adven-
discover that this adulthood gig isn't all it was hyped up to be. ture? If not, I invite you to rediscover yourself. Meet Me At
We succumb to the stifling of our childhood spirit by our parents, The Barn and come play with me, be a kid again and come
teachers and social interactions and we forget what it is like to be home to your true self. New classes starting soon. Go to
a kid. Human conditioning and cultural myths become dominant in www.meetmeatthebarn.com and dig around a bit...you will
our lives. Our sense of wonder and genuineness diminishes as we want to be a part of this! To learn more about The Group Year
gain knowledge. Our beliefs are fear based and we find ourselves Long Journey start here San Diego
overscheduled, overworked and overwhelmed. We are reluctant http://www.meetmeatthebarn.com/the-group-year-long-class.html Woman
to take responsibility for the choices we have made; each choice
ultimately creating the life that we lead.
If I may offer some expert advice - it is this: It is paradoxical and
yet true, that when you empty your head of needing, wanting, or 35
desiring more and accept that all you have is all you need; abun-
dance will then show up in your life. As humans we are condi-
tioned to "think" that if only we could have this or that, life will be
better. That new car, outfit, job, boyfriend, girlfriend or endless
other material items will make you happy, when in fact happiness
is a choice. Do you want to be happy? Then decide to be happy!
Wanting things outside of yourself is fear based. You become a
stranger to your true essence when you allow the ego to orches-
trate your daily living. This ego character can appear to be quite
charming and very often convincing. However the ego thrives
when playing on your fears, persuading you that there is a lack-
ing in your life and influencing you that you are not enough. Don't
drink the Kool-Aid. Run on Empty. Empty yourself of needing or
wanting and create the space for the unlimited abundance that is
available to you. And, when it shows up, recognize, and accept it
with graciousness. Abundance is like a butterfly...if you chase it or
grasp for it, it becomes illusive. If you leave it alone it will come to
settle on your shoulder.
Notice what calls you away from the noise and chaos in the world.
There is sanctity in unbroken silence. Allow space for things that
speak to your heart and do things which give you peace. There is
grace in permitting your life to flow unassisted by your mind and
your thinking. It is only in your thoughts (which create your beliefs)
that things take on a significance that they don't have in and of
themselves. Many years ago while attending a weekend seminar
the speaker said, "Life is empty and meaningless." At the time I did
not embrace the wisdom of those simple words. However, I have