Authenticity

Lately, (especially since Dax started reading) I have been trying to incorporate our values more into our living space to be subtle reminders to all of us. "God's Purpose", "Authenticity", & "Character" are less concrete than "Each other, People, Excellence, Experience, or Laughter". So they have been a bit more challenging with which to decorate our home. As I was thinking through some wall space that is soon to be freed up by rearranging, I thought I would research "Authenticity" a little more. I started with definitions planning to move on to quotes. (This research also helps in teachable moments for myself as well as my fellas--last night's taught me more than I could have asked for or imagined).

The latter definitions according Webster were not surprising and under girded our original intention for its inclusion in our values: "4. not false or imitation; REAL, ACTUAL" and "5. true to one's own personality, spirit, or character".

The earlier definitions were a pleasant surprise: "2a.worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact; 2b. conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features; 3a.made or done the same way as an original". As I studied further through synonyms listed like "obsolete" to its synonym "vestigial" I also discovered this phrase: "...a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something..." This definitely deepens my view of the value of authenticity in my own life and strengthens my desire for it even more because I do so want my all to be based on His Truth with is ultimate "fact" as well as conform to Him as the Original of all originals, being a reproduction of His "essential features". I also most definitely want His trace, mark, or sign to be visible on me.

Quote: a synonym 'extra' in my dictionary "Authentic, genuine, bona fide mean being actually and exactly what is claimed. AUTHENTIC implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact ; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original. GENUINE implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated; it also connotes definite origin from a source. BONA FIDE implies good faith and sincerity of intention.