The closer you stay to emotional authenticity and people, character authenticity, the less you can go wrong. David O. Russell
Today we went on a canoe tour with a father and daughter team. They invited us to a bonfire tonight on the beach across the road from there home. We met lots of new people. Something I realised in the generosity of these people was that it’s easy to forget to be hospitable in a city, or harder to be so open.
In a city you make appointments with people. Here on Cocos Island you just invite random people over and feed them. You meet a collection of people from all walks of life and places all with their own story.
We walked home feeling so happy to have been included and to hear a few stories from people. The daughter with bulimia, the daughter with cervical cancer, the woman looking for meaning in her life. people are so much more open in these sorts of communities. Minutes after meeting them, you begin sharing in their stories and lives.
I find that we often try to put on a perfect persona and project our best selves, but here I’ve realised that we just need to bring ourselves and be ourselves. Authentic sharing and community gives us the freedom to be real and to truly communicate with each other.
How beautiful is that?
Since I’ve been here, I’ve not worn makeup and haven’t used my hair straightener. This is truly living without a filter. Emotional, physical and spiritual authenticity is what counts. I’ve been reminded once again of what is really important on this adventure called life. Keeping it real is where it’s at.
Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart – it’s all a man has. Hubert Humphrey
#365adventure is a book lover’s year of adventures. Adventures in travel, friendship, family, soul, heart and, of course, book stores!
