You Don't have to Pretend...

Many seem to be ‘acting’ who they are instead of being who they are.  Does that make sense? Pretending to be someone they’re not. Yesterday, while I was at the hospital visiting Lee, I encountered a gentleman in the elevator who ‘puffed up’ when I walked in with two other ladies. His voice became deep and he said, “Hello there, Ladies.” I felt it bubbling up…you know…laughter. I didn’t laugh because this gentleman was needing to be something he wasn’t because he thought that is what he should be  with three ladies in an elevator. I wouldn’t laugh ‘at’ anyone…ever. It was just that I knew this guy was a nice guy and really down to Earth. How did I know? He was a friend of mine but not of the other ladies. He and I have talked about his ‘puffery’ together. He said he can’t help it. It is his first inclination to be ‘the big it’ in a room. I looked at him, he looked at me with his chest ‘puffed up,’ and I managed to get a few words out, “How are you doing ‘the big it?” Recognition came to his eyes and he began to laugh. “You caught me in action, Beth.” The elevator doors opened and him and I went in to visit Lee. I walked out with a different guy than who was in the elevator. He remembered who he truly was.

No matter what you be  know that you can just be yourself. You don’t have to be anyone other than you. When we realize that we don’t have to put on a mask or a show and can truly be who we are then we find we can relax and just ‘be.’ When another becomes arrogant they are actually showing their lack of confidence and faking their way through it. They don’t really know how to be who they truly are. Just know that when you bring the true you to every life experience then that is all you need to do.

You don’t have to act like you think others want you to act. You don’t have to say what others think you should say. Just be kind and be you…that is all that is required in this life experience.

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