Wanderlust Katie

Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”  I came across this quote while reading about what authentic means and more importantly what it means to be authentically you.  This month has been interesting as I have reflected on this quote and what it means to be authentic…what does that mean?  Well, according to Webster’s Dictionary, it means to be: true to one’s own personality, spirit or character.

So as I reflected on the authentic version of myself, I thought, what does this mean in relation to my future and what I want.  As anyone else I have lofty hopes and dreams, find myself lost in a daydream and when it doesn’t work out I am left feeling lost and disappointed.  So I decided to write ten things I wanted for my future.  This is a hopes and dreams list…but nothing too specific.

Everyone’s list is different because everyone desires different things and this is what I think makes us authentic, not the list but our ideas, what we strive toward, desire.  These drive us and give us hope.  To be authentic is to be unique and each of us are individuals and wish for a different life…no one is the same. Some people will compare their lives to others and this is false to being authentic, it is what Judy Garland refers to as a second rate version.  If it is not what you really desire or a true representation of you then are you living the life you wish for?

Recently I was talking with my friend Kellie and we got to talking about this idea of what is expected and what is our desire for our lives.  Kellie made a very good point and said “screw what people expect and do what makes you happy, you can make any place home if you are happy.” This is true and I sometimes get distracted by what I truly want and what would be convenient, even though in the long run, I know I won’t be happy.  What is authentically me is that I am a wanderer, a dreamer and passionate about social justice issues.  Right now I may not be where I want to be but I am getting closer to that place, that authentic place, that authentic me.

go forth and be kind…

kt