“What does it mean to be authentic? It means you walk the road that God has created for you, without pride but also without apologies for your integrity. Above all, it means you are yourself.”
~John Maxwell
Does this quote resonate with you? If so, what about it captures your attention?
Becky Eldredge
Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.
Hmm. This makes me think of a couple of tricky situations I had with students recently–dishonesty in their work. I had to maintain the integrity of my stance as instructor, but felt compelled to show mercy as well, and discerned what to do ensure both sides of the equation got filled! It was tough. Being a teacher often means walking that road for your students, to give them the best “lessons” they can find before they enter the real world.
Thomas Merton once said, “for me, to be a saint is to be myself.” My graduation homily this week charged the class of 2010 to be authentic, to be holy, to be saintly!
The most authentic person I ever knew passed away last week. My dad, at age 91, was the greatest example of personal and spiritual integrity I have ever known. If I can live my life half as “authentically” as he did, I will have lived successfully.