March 26th, 2026

The Unspoken Language of Authenticity

“To choose clothes, either in a store or at home, is to define and describe ourselves.”

Alison Lurie (American Novelist and Academic; September 3rd, 1926 ~ December 20th, 2020)

“Long before I am near enough to talk to you on the street, in a meeting, or at a party, you announce your sex, age and class to me through what you are wearing–and very possibly give me important information (or misinformation) as to your occupation, origin, personality, opinions, tastes, sexual desires and current mood. I may not be able to put what I observe into words, but I register the information unconsciously; and you simultaneously do the same for me. By the time we meet and converse we have already spoken to each other in an older and more uiversal tongue.”

Alison Lurie (American Novelist and Academic; September 3rd, 1926 ~ December 20th, 2020)

“At first this revelation can be disconcerting, even discouraging. But on reflection, it can be an exciting discovery because now that you’re authenticity beginning to cherish and channel your authenticity through creative choices, you can learn how to become not only bilingual but fluent in expressing yourself.”

“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.”

Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (French Fashion Designer and Businesswoman; August 19th, 1883 ~ January 10th, 1971)

“Before my story began…: (Heather Houston 3-26-22)

“I feel ashamed that my clothes do not reveal my authentic self. I say I want to be authentic, but from a mile away they do not reflect me at all. I need to work to change that.” (Heather Houston 3-26-22)

“I have not made much room on this in the past 4 years, and I am discovering myself culturally, As such, I am waiting to see what unfolds after I attend the Indigenous conference in Oklahoma. I think the connect with my community will unfold some parts of me that have been dormant.” (Heather Houston 3-26-26)

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 92-93 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.