On Life & Authenticity

Driving back home one evening, I listened to a podcast featuring David Sedaris, a famous author, who is very clear about his wants and needs. After his readings, he spends a long time, sometimes up to 6 hours till the early hours of the morning signing books and having conversations with his readers. When asked why he does so, he doesn’t say it’s because he wants to give his fans something for standing in line and buying his books. Instead, he wants their love, acceptance and approval. He explains that it could be some deep void within him that drives his actions, but they are what they are.

I love how honest and refreshing he is, not only to the public but to himself. He doesn’t paint an evangelical picture of himself trying to save mankind as so many other people do, but instead, he is honest enough to say that he does it for himself.

In being so authentic, he ends up serving his community and is universally loved.