Last night, I found myself stepping into a space that invited curiosity and reflection—a holistic wellness center called Firefly. What really piqued my interest was the group they host every Tuesday night called The Conscious and Curious Explorers Club. It’s as intriguing as it sounds, right? A group of like-minded individuals, meeting weekly to explore, share stories, and seek enlightenment. This week’s activity? Rock painting.
Now, with five daughters, you’d think I’d have painted a rock or two before, but nope—this was my first time. I had no clue what I was doing, so I grabbed a handful of bright paints and let instinct take over. What started as a simple idea—a smiley face—ended up looking a little...well, smudgy. Too much paint, colors blending together, and a rushed final layer of Mod Podge sealed the chaotic masterpiece. But rather than feeling frustrated, I embraced it. I named my creation “Smudgy” and realized there was something oddly symbolic in this messy, colorful little rock.
Here’s where it gets deeper. As I was painting, I couldn’t help but think about the rock’s own journey. Before it ended up in my hands, it had been through intense cycles of heat, pressure, erosion, and transformation. Yet, despite the messy exterior I had given it, Smudgy was solid, enduring, and unbreakable on the inside.
This simple activity brought me to a realization—how often do we, as people, invest so much time trying to fix our outsides? We apply our own versions of "Mod Podge" in an attempt to look more polished to the world. But underneath all that, there’s a strength we’ve developed through our own rock cycles of life: the melting, the cooling, the erosion, and the rebuilding. It’s time we recognize that inner strength, the part of us that doesn’t need perfecting.
In The Zone of Authenticity, we explore how embracing our inner self, messy edges and all, allows us to live in alignment with who we truly are. Life, much like my rock painting experience, is about recognizing that the true value lies beneath the surface. Our experiences—the tough ones, the transformative ones—shape us into something resilient and powerful. So instead of constantly trying to smooth out the rough spots, what if we allowed ourselves to embrace the process?
Just like the rocks we painted that night, we’re all a little smudgy on the outside, but we’re solid on the inside. That’s where authenticity thrives—within the messy beauty of our personal journey.