If you're an avid, or even sometime consumer of many of the personal growth and development resources available, you've probably come across the word "authenticity", but what does that really mean? What does it mean to "be authentic"?

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, authenticity means being real or genuine, not copied or false; being true and accurate. In other words, authenticity means not blindly following the crowd. It means not changing who you are just to fit in. It means really thinking for yourself about who you are, what's important to you and what you value. It's having a solid set of values for yourself that guide you and your decisions.

It's appreciating your strengths and using them to advance both yourself and the people around you, both in your immediate circles and beyond, either directly or indirectly. It's admitting to yourself and accepting that you're not perfect, while also realizing that this shouldn't keep you from doing what you can. It's being open to uncovering those layers that may be holding you back.

It's accepting every part of you, even the ones that you would like to improve, so that you start from a solid foundation of self-respect and love. It's believing in yourself and helping others do the same, in whatever area and way you are able. It's about being willing to take a chance and make mistakes.