Authenticity

Yesterday, I took a walk to the Brooklyn Bridge, a notorious tourist trap but also a beautiful and marvelous feat of engineering. I wanted to photograph it (a cliché, I know) so I can make a print for someone as a gift. Hours passed in what felt like minutes. This experience, this immersion in creation for its own sake, is what makes me call myself an artist. So when a friend of mine–who reads this blog–made an off-hand comment critical of the fact that I call myself an artist, I wasn’t offended, but it did get me thinking about: who is an artist? What makes someone an artist? Is it enough to just make art? Do you have to show it? Sell it? Call yourself an artist on your LinkedIn profile?

Writing about the process of writing offers a valuable form of meta-reflection—similar to the artist who pauses to teach and examine their craft. This recursive exploration creates opportunities for insight that might otherwise remain elusive in the forward momentum of creative production. The Value of Creative Self-Examination # Any creative pursuit benefits from periodic reflection on both process and purpose. These moments of examination invite important questions: What motivates this work? How effectively am I executing it? Does my approach align with my authentic intentions? Does the work represent my genuine vision or a compromised version of something else? Am I creating primarily for personal expression or external reception? What ultimate purpose does this creative activity serve in my life and potentially for others?

The Spectrum of Motivation # Human behavior springs from a fascinating spectrum of motivations. At one end lie our intrinsic drives—actions we undertake simply because they resonate with our authentic desires and values. I listen to certain music because the melodies and rhythms genuinely move me. At the opposite end are extrinsic necessities—things we do because external circumstances require them. I complete certain work tasks not because they bring me joy, but because they represent necessary contributions to larger endeavors I’ve committed to.

There exists an intriguing corner of Reddit called r/amiugly where individuals share photographs of themselves seeking community feedback on their appearance. The space functions as a complex intersection of vulnerability, validation-seeking, and the universal human desire for reassurance about how we present to others. Having observed this community for some time, I’ve noticed a compelling pattern. The participants—predominantly younger individuals who may struggle with self-image—almost invariably possess completely normal, often quite appealing appearances. This creates a fascinating window into the disconnect between self-perception and external reality, highlighting how our internal narratives can dramatically diverge from how others perceive us.

The Delicate Balance of Self-Assurance # The boundary between confidence and arrogance exists as a razor-thin edge that requires skillful navigation. This delicate distinction represents one of the most rewarding aspects of personal development—requiring both self-assurance and the humility to recognize our cognitive limitations. Those who possess sufficient self-awareness to acknowledge their own fallibility demonstrate a particularly valuable form of wisdom.

Contemporary culture has elevated travel to a position of remarkable prominence. While exploration has always held appeal, the current enthusiasm appears increasingly intertwined with documentation and sharing. For many travelers, capturing and broadcasting experiences through social platforms has become as central to the journey as the experiences themselves. Some genuinely enjoy the novelty of transport hubs, aircraft, and accommodations, though personally, I find more fulfillment in destinations than in transit experiences.

Personal development often involves identifying growth opportunities in areas where our natural tendencies create limitations. Recently, I’ve been exploring one such opportunity by consciously prioritizing receptive listening during conversations with new acquaintances. This seemingly simple shift creates remarkable possibilities for deeper understanding and connection. When we create space for others to express themselves fully, they often share insights, experiences, and perspectives with surprising openness. The practice requires only patience, attentiveness, and occasional thoughtful questions to guide the conversation’s natural flow.

The Universal Experience of Rejection # Rejection represents one of our most universally shared human experiences—that distinctive emotional response when someone declines our offer, request, presence, or self-expression. This experience carries a remarkably consistent sting regardless of context, whether in professional environments, romantic relationships, social circles, or creative pursuits. The persistence of this emotional response remains somewhat mysterious—even when we intellectually anticipate rejection as a possibility, the actual experience typically triggers an emotional reaction that feels surprisingly fresh and immediate.

The Evolution of Professional Identity # In the pre-digital era, our professional identities were primarily represented through résumés or curriculum vitae. Today, while these traditional formats remain relevant, they’ve been supplemented—and sometimes superseded—by our digital presence across various platforms. For many professionals, social media profiles have become the new first impression, the initial point of contact, and an increasingly significant factor in professional opportunities. In the context of career advancement, these digital footprints can significantly influence hiring decisions, sometimes even before a formal application is submitted.

“So, what do you do?” The innocuous cocktail party question lands like a philosophical challenge whenever I hear it. My internal response: Which identity would you prefer I present today? I could truthfully answer: Software Artisan Philosopher Amateur Blogger Author Investor Entrepreneur Human With Two Dogs Computer Person Techie Nerd Former Lyft Driver Autodidact Potato Farmer I could continue this list indefinitely, but you get the idea. The question assumes a singular professional identity—a neat categorization that rarely captures the multidimensional reality of contemporary lives.