How Authentic are You?

Published: February 17, 2009

There's something to be said about authenticity.

The other day I was watching my new favorite show "Boston Legal." I guess being a former Trekkie, flipping the channels to see William Shatner caused me to stop and watch. Of course, he was in the middle of espousing something so politically incorrect that even Archie Bunker would have cringed (For those of you too young to know who Archie Bunker was, do a Google search for the TV show "All in the Family").

Being a latecomer to the show, I'm slowly trying to get a feel for the characters and the dynamics of their relationships. The one thing I know is that Denny Crane (William Shatner's character), is an authentic being.

Denny is a former hotshot, Cracker Jack attorney who is now suffering from the effects of Mad Cow's disease. It's a disease that is slowly transforming his brilliant brain to mush. He's having problems remembering and memorizing things. The disease is detrimental to his career as an attorney but is a perfect way to help him tap into his authentic self.

Work Through the Fear

In one episode, he had to give the closing statement on a particular court case. He was given the task of the closing arguments because the topic was near and dear to his heart. In a momentary period of self-pity and self-doubt, he tried to copy and memorize an already existing closing statement (mind you, the existing closing statement was in no way related to his current case).

Because of his inability to remember or memorize, he had to scratch the poorly hatched plan and reach deep to access his authentic self. After all, he was unable to memorize a properly researched and well-written closing statement. All he had left was "Denny Crane."

The Authenticity Test

In true Denny Crane style, he entered the courtroom inappropriately dressed and made a show-stopping closing statement. So what if he may have offended everyone in the courtroom. He didn't need to be politically, nor socially correct. He spoke from the heart and of course, won the case.

While I don't recommend contracting a disease to find your authentic self, nor do I recommended offending people by being insensitive or politically incorrect. What I do recommend is spending a little time discovering who you really are. If what you think makes you, you is suddenly (or slowly) taken away from you, what would you have left and who would you be?

If you're not already a fan of the show, check out an episode or two and watch Denny Crane in action.

That's my two cents and I'm sticking with it!

About the Author: I am Felicia A. Williams, a wife, mom, grandma, writer and eternal student.

Last Modified: 1 December 2020