Being Authentic

A few days ago, at one of my regular recovery meeting, the speaker celebrated twenty-six years of being free of his addiction.  He spoke well, saying all the appropriate things, using the words learned in the program of recovery and expressing gratitude.  He made people laugh and even cry a bit and, as one person put it, he was entertaining.  I was disturbed by his talk since his emphasis was on saying the “right” things and having people like him, rather than being heartfelt and authentic, saying what was going on with him.  I used to do the same but realized what I was doing and then changed.  There were also two people who spoke from the heart and authentically who I enjoyed listening to.