![]() |
Photo from fearless-selling.ca |
While I am flawed, I am also authentically kind, compassionate and loving. I think that my life record backs this up. Yet, at certain times, my authentic self can be downright cranky, caustic and even another -y word on occasion. When I am frustrated, I can act out - especially when I forget that bad moments pass and life will upswing again.
What about the H-Word?
A few of you maybe wondering if "faking" it will lead to accusations of our favorite H-word: hypocrisy. I don't think so. In the context of this saying, someone who is "faking it until he or she makes it" believes in the ideals they are imitating AND they working toward authenticity, but they may not feel authentic in the moment. In my humble opinion, it is possible to make what author Lysa TerKeurst calls "imperfect process" toward a goal (ie. authenticity) without being accused of hypocrisy. Just because someone isn't perfect, doesn't make him or her a hypocrite, it just makes them human. Conversely, a hypocrite doesn't really believe in the ideals he or she is imitating, they just want others to think they do. Am I a hypocrite because I "fake" being a nice mom to my kids on days when I feel selfish? No. I believe in being a generous and sacrificial mom and so on days when I don't feel like it, I willingly fake it. And for me, it's totally the right thing to do. Why? Because I know that my temporary wrong feelings will pass and I will find my way back to my authentic self. "Faking" it keeps me from creating unnecessary regret in those bad moments.
"Faking" Still Requires Effort...
I would love to just wallow in contentment for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Why? Because, I love it when I feel content. When I am content, there is no angst or strife over missed expectations or let down when people disappoint me. Alas, I really have to work hard at being content. So, for me, "faking" contentment means that I must do the things that contented people do:
- I constantly recognize and give thanks for my blessings;
- I don't look around and obsess about what others have that I don't;
- I am a good steward of what I do have and recognize that God won't bless me with more unless I honor Him with what I already have.
What do you need to "fake" toward today?
Scriptural Inspiration: In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul was talking with Christians about keeping a 10,000 ft perspective on life's difficulties and struggles. After recounting - then discounting - his esteemed pedigree, Paul acknowledges that he is human and makes mistakes. Considering all that the apostle endured, we can be certain that the Apostle Paul had some tough moments in life. Yet, in Philippians 3:14, Paul provides the big-picture purpose of his life, which should inspire us as we think why we are on this planet: "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
I am totally with you on this, Barb! I went through a very, very dark time in my life and that was the exact phrase I recited in my head a million times every single day. It kept me putting one foot in front of the other until eventually I was no longer faking it. I can't recall when or how I went from faking it to making it, and I really don't care, all I know is that by the power of Jesus I made it. Amen for that!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo true... Great article and thanks for posting! Read an article in the Huffington Post not too long ago. It was part of there TED series and social scientist and professor Amy Cudder was the guest speaker. She's puts some empirical truth behind your post today.
ReplyDelete