The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

Did you know that the first performance of Oscar Wilde's play was on Valentine's Day 1895? I do love a synchronicity.

Last week, during a conversation , I was described as being earnest. (Thank you Nicola Bartlett). 

It is a word I have rarely heard and since then I have been trying it on for size.  It fits me better than authentic.  I am currently rebelling against that word.  That story is for another day.

My wonderings took me to the dictionary and an online archaeological dig including "The Importance of Being Earnest". I feel like I am uncovering something that is deeply honouring of who I really am.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is a comedy farce which mocked Victorian Traditions, social customs,  love and marriage. Reviewers at the time called it superficial and "about nothing at all" as they compared it to other works that tackled serious and political issues. Other critics appreciated it saying "it refuses to play the game"  of other period dramatists such as Bernard Shaw, who would use their characters to draw audiences to "grander ideals".  Others called it a "comedy of manners".  In 1895 the Victorians considered Earnestness to be an overriding societal value.

In the play Algernon and Jack are both "artificial" putting on a performance and pretending to be Ernest. One enquiry I was particularly drawn to was "every human being is required to be artificial in life". It is 2024 and that artificiality continues.  I experience it in my world.

Can I be my true self? Can I show up the way that I want to? Will I be accepted if I express my earnest truths.

Not by everybody. And that is OK. I am not here for everybody!  I am hear for those of you still reading this. (thank you)

In old German earnest means "battle to the death". 

In English some definitions are serious,  keen,  grave,  intense  and sober.  

Earnest people are also described as being sincere in what they say or do. That my actions and beliefs are important. I could nestle into that one.  That felt "right"

Serious and zealous in intention,  purpose or effort.  Showing depth and sincerity of feeling. Speaking earnest words.  - Yes - I like that. Especially "sincerity of feeling."  

I also read that when humans are earnest around those they trust that it "Inspires absolute confidence."  I am often acknowledged for the profoundly safe places that I create for the humans who work with me.  I know I "inspire" and consciously create as much trust and safety as is possible.

It is OK to be "serious" about something. To have a deep and sincere conviction, dedication to a particular cause, goal or task.

What is my cause?

I am certainly dedicated to the personal development path that I am follow.  I confess to not fully knowing what I was looking for when I began. I would also name the acceleration of growth that happened by stepping into my creative shamanism work that began in 2017 and the Earth Ensemble Constellation training that completes in October this year.

My dedication, my conviction comes from a place of finding my voice. Trusting my way and releasing what is holding me back. It has taken me 51 years so far.

So what?

The Highlights:-

I resonate profoundly with "The Importance of Being Earnest".

I don't want to "play the game" any longer.  I purely want to walk my path in my way.

I want to express my True note and not fill artificial shoes.

Showing depth and sincerity of feeling resonates with my clients and I will continue to work in this way.

Some Experiments or Journal Questions for you  :-

~  Where do you feel safe enough to be earnest rather than artificial?

~  Where do you see and experience artificiality in this world?

~  What do you require to allow your earnest nature to shine through?

~  Which games do you feel trapped into playing?

~  What is important to you?

~  Would you be accepted if you expressed earnest truths?

Point of Light

Discovery  ~  Growth  ~  Freedom

Awaken Awareness