Be Yourself

There is so much wisdom in these two short words - be yourself. Read our thoughts on this subject. We hope they inspire you to be just yourself.

Inspirational Thoughts
Be Yourself
by

Are you compelled to be somebody you're not. Do you live in a big house because you think it is required to fit the mold of others. Does your choice of furniture reflect what you think others would expect you to have.

Have you ever stopped to think how much energy, or for that matter, how much you complicate your life, by pretending to be someone you're really not? Maybe this is partly a reflection of a portrayed lifestyle you see every day on the television, or those latest magazines depicting a glamorous lifestyle. Who are you trying to impress - you, or everyone else?

Think how simple your life would be if you stopped for a moment and just learned to be yourself.

Take one of my previous co-workers, Karen, for example. Karen spends most of her day worrying about what other people think about her. She buys furniture in a style that she thinks would impress her friends even though this furniture is very uncomfortable. Every time she goes out the door, she worries whether what she wears or how she looks is up to the standards of those people she knows that she just might meet at the neighbourhood store.

In short, who cares! Be yourself, enjoy who you are.

For example, if you want comfy furniture that really invites you to curl up and relax, then do it. After all, whom are you trying to impress with uncomfortable furniture? You're the one who has to live there. You're the one who should be comfortable in your own home.

One thing I've come to realize is that it really doesn't matter what other people may think. If they are that small minded, or if they want to impress whomever, let them. I for one don't care. I don't have to spend any energy or complicate my life by what others may think. Isn't it really a matter of the person - what's inside of you - who you really are as a person?

Don't waste your time, your energy, or complicate your life by worrying about what other people may think. It really boils down to this - if they shun me, or look down their noses at me because of my furniture, or the house I live in, or the car I drive, then do I really want or need them as friends?

Simply no.

Several years ago, I was in a position to see what happens to people who spend their lives pretending to be someone they are not. These were the people who tended to invite a lot of their colleagues and superiors over to their home for a weekend BBQ or for a sit down dinner. Their intent in inviting colleagues and superiors was to position either one or both in a more favorable position for promotions. Each part of this duo couple was working in similar area and in related organizations.

Over the next two years, these parties were often and elaborate. I had occasion to speak with both of them near the end of their second year of almost non-stop hosting and was amazed at what they told me.

I asked them point blank if they were successful in their quest to garner consideration for promotion as a result of their extensive and elaborate parties? I was surprised to learn, given that they had previously told me their efforts were what were required to get ahead, that both answered almost in unison that they regretted starting out on this venture and detested each and every party. I asked them why?

I very simple terms, they told me that they always had to pretend to enjoy the people they invited even though some of them were quite arrogant, some were there simply to eat their food and drink their wine, and some even had the nerve to invite a few of their friends along with them to gorge themselves on food and wine. In short, they knew they were being used. I also asked them if they had been promoted or given any special treatment by their superiors over the past two years? The short answer was none; not one thing had changed.

Here is a perfect example of two people who tried to both buy and bribe their way to greater promotions and had failed miserably. They pretended to like people they did not; they pretended to be gracious hosts and hated every moment; and they pretended to please others they had little or no respect for.

The message is clear: be true to yourself, be honest with others and live with truth and not lies or deception.


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