Are You Genuine?

Genuine…… first begin we begin, let us examine this word:

gen·u·ine/ˈjenyo͞oən/Learn to pronounceadjective

1. truly what something is said to be; authentic.”each book is bound in genuine leather”Similar:authentic real actual original bona fide true veritable

(of a person, emotion, or action) sincere.”a genuine attempt to delegate authority”Similar:sincere honest truthful unhypocritical

It is a popular word. It is a strong word. It is a used-way-too-often-but-rarely-meant word! The opposite for this word could relate with such phrase as “always one bad apple,” “someone always ruins it,” “one bad doesn’t make them all bad,” “they are not like the others.” These phrases are commonly followed up by the people they should be focused at in my experience. Whether it is an adjective for any profession, friend, lover, or acquaintance, it is extremely rare to meet someone who is 100% genuine as most expect them to be.

I have had many friends, even more acquaintances, too many boyfriends, a few girlfriends, and even a few husbands. Am I kidding……. unfortunately no haha! I have learned that in a sea of “besties”, very few have actually been that word, genuine. I do not believe I have ever met two people in my life that have truly been unhypocritical, authentic, or 100% truthful. I am including myself. I have lied before. Anyone who says they have not…… are currently lying. I have told someone not to do something, but at some point later in the future, done that same thing myself. It is impossible to be genuine. However, it is not impossible to try. It is not impossible to stop calling yourself a genuine person as a whole. It is not impossible to stop claiming you are the realest (which I hate because it is not a word) bitch out there. Most importantly, it is not impossible to stop condemning others for not being genuine.

I bring this word up because in the past week, I have heard a handful of people say it and read multiple military spouses use it online. I took a moment to think of all the times I have heard it in past conversations, songs, movies, shows, and even may have used it myself. In what moments did this word actually apply? Was the word actually relevant? Did the one using it, actually fit the definition of the adjective?

A person can genuinely be trying. A person can have a genuine goal. You can genuinely mean something. I do not believe a human being can actually be genuine. I have a theory. People are always 90/10. They are either 90% bullshit and 10% honest or 90% honest and 10% bullshit. No one is 100%. Well, maybe they are 100% bullshit. I’ve met some of those.