When you hear the word authentic, what comes to mind?  To me the words genuine and real are the ones that resonate the most.  Perhaps you thought of being original and that works too.  This word eliminates those things that are not real and I have believed for some time that this is best path to travel in walking through life's journey.  What happens to people when they are less than authentic?  Well the list can go on for some time.  More importantly, I believe that those people are caught in the world of living up to someone else's perceived expectations and not their own.  When you live an authentic life, I believe that you are less consumed by those things that matter less.  In contrast, your life may be more full as it can be less complicated.  I challenge you to choose to be authentic and don't pay attention to your critics around you.  If you have negative criticism as a result, then you don't need those people to begin with.  As we strive to achieve authentic lives, we can be less focused on superficiality while seeking to shine as a true original.