The gem of strength in weakness through honest authenticity

The gem of strength in weakness through honest authenticity

“Like alchemy, when an element combines with another, otherwise corrosive material to form a benign compound, so the very things that make us unapproachable (like rage or addiction) when combined with authenticity, actually makes us more approachable.”
—Peter Randell

Let’s unpick the wise truth set out above.  For those valiant enough to try it, especially those who are leaders, there’s a secret for growth unearthed in the absolutely paradoxical step of sharing our weakness, our guilt, our shame.

Honestly nothing comes close to authenticity for affording strength in bearing weakness.

Think of the sheer strength it takes to confess one’s temptations, fear, sadness, rage, etc.  One before another, as that which is corrosive to you when you keep it in, like poison, when it’s shared in trustworthy spaces, it gives life to the sharer and to the receiver alike.

Indeed, the receiver observes with their own heart, ears and eyes, that which could have eaten them away from inside, but now because of the other person’s authenticity, INVITES them to share also, and freedom is but a few moments away.

There’s no fear for judgement in sharing openly when another person’s gone first in declaring their struggle.

There’s no corrosive value left in a poison of a hidden struggle when it’s neutralised by the agent of truth.

There’s no power then for the accuser to have his way.  Weakness avowed takes strength and the good Lord honours that courage every time!

This brings life to the idea of “when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Do you know who uttered those incredibly bizarre words?  Yes, the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Here’s where it matters.  When we’re weakest, we’re isolated, and from isolation the mind gets to work, and a sinkhole we begin to sink into.  But as soon as we sense the readiness to connect with another human being, that one also ripe for connection, together with a sprinkle of honest authenticity, that is sharing what is deeply true yet also shaming, life flows in like a river of peace.

What is true in the world of chemistry is also true psychologically through this sociological phenomenon:

Strong acids and alkalis, those chemicals that range to the extremes on both sides of a pH scale, are neutralised discretely by just the right select chemical to produce a harmless compound.

Think of indigestion and antacids.  Relief and comfort come from the sweet authenticity of the truth that’s required.  From the rising pain of the gut up to the trachea comes relief when that acid is neutralised.

Authenticity is the neutralising agent for all manner of maladies.

That’s the power of authenticity.  When you carry truth into your safe conversations, dialogue where truth is welcome, that truth empowers both of you.

One morsel of truth is enough to taste and see, 
freedom’s there in abundance, it’s there for you and me.