How well do you know yourself? Pretty well, real well, not so well? We all think that we have at least a certain perspective about ourselves and what makes us “tick.” After all, we grew up with ourselves, right? Well maybe. When you look in the mirror, is there ever someone else looking back? Someone not recognized? Stay with me here. What I’m asking is, if the person looking at you in the mirror is someone recognizable. Does that individual, represented by your reflection, speak the same language as you? Do others know that person? Or is he or she someone hidden in the background?

Hiding our true selves is very unhealthy and definitely a false representation to those whom are called friends.  Wearing a mask too long may become problematic. The problem is, not knowing when it’s on or off. We can fool others with great regularity, but fooling oneself isn’t so easy. So why bother? So things didn’t work out the way they were planned, big deal. Carrying on a false identity about who we truly are doesn’t make reality actually go away, it only tempers it.

Do yourself, and others, a favor. Remove what keeps you hidden and allow yourself to be real. Step into the light of whom you really are and let others see just that. Let the chips fall where they will. This at least provides you some air to breathe and others a deeper appreciation for the real you.