Author, John Kehoe wrote an article called Authentic Relationships. I quote, “I have a good friend who is the most authentic person I know. People love being around her because she is so real, with no pretense. She makes everyone feel special, not in a phony way; she makes them feel special because she is genuinely interested in them. She values people. She values relationships, knowing that even the most casual relationship, a moment with a stranger, has the potential to gift them and us in some way. And so she lives her life day-by-day, moment-by-moment open, honest and receptive to others. It sounds simple but it’s actually revolutionary, given that most of us approach others with an agenda of our own.
“Do you value relationships? Are you willing to be authentic yourself in order to have authentic relationships? Are you prepared to change, grow, open your heart and show yourself to others? Unless you can answer yes to all three questions, it’s futile to hope for authentic relationships with others.”