Authenticity in a Fast-Paced World
In our fast-paced world, being yourself has become a true art. Instead of pretending and trying to meet unrealistic expectations, we can earn respect through our naturalness, honesty, and sincerity. It is the ability to perform our life duties—whether in the family or at work—with predictability and reliability that turns simplicity into an admirable quality, especially when those around us so often let us down. By choosing honesty in relationships and tasks, we not only remain true to ourselves but also become a pillar in a society where mutual trust is a rare and invaluable resource.
What does being an ordinary person in modern society mean to you?To me, being an ordinary person today means remaining sincere and genuine, without trying to be someone else, and honestly fulfilling one’s role in life. It is the ability to be oneself in a world where there is often pressure to meet exaggerated expectations or to strive for superficial success. As stated in one of the sources, “Don’t pretend to be, don’t try to appear better than you are. Be yourself. In this world, from its very beginnings up to our days, only those who are natural, who look as they truly are, are respected” (source: link txt, page: 33).At the same time, modernity demands honesty and reliability in our everyday responsibilities. This simplicity and predictability of behavior become invaluable qualities in an era of widespread laxity, when very few reliable and loyal individuals remain upon whom one can depend. One text notes: “The Apostle Paul gives us an entire program, but he does not say: perform a thousand bows a day... And what is required of us? To be normal people. Nowadays, there are very few dependable and steadfast people left on whom one can rely...” (source: link txt).Furthermore, the concept of “being normal” also implies sincerely fulfilling one’s roles in both family and work environments. It is noted that this is the true virtue of modern times: “Do what you are supposed to do: if you are a wife, be a normal wife; if you are a father, be a normal father; if you are a son, be a normal son. If you work at your job, be a normal worker…” (source: link txt).Thus, being an ordinary person today is not so much about giving up on aspirations as it is about choosing to live simply, honestly, and by one’s own rules, while maintaining the ability to trust and support those around us—a quality that becomes especially valuable against the backdrop of a general decline in reliability and the demanding expectations of our time.