Authentic Self

From Daily OM: "September 26, 2006 Against The GrainGoing Against What Is Popular
Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn't mean it's right for everyone. However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don't take the time to determine what's right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing. In this way, our decisions about life are made by default, which means they aren't what we call conscious decisions. There may be many other options available, but we don't always take the time to explore them. This may be the result of feeling overwhelmed or pressured by family, peers, and humanity at large, to do things their way, the way things have always been done. Regardless of the cause, it is important that, as often as we can, we decide for ourselves what to do with our lives rather than just drift along on the current of popular opinion. "

The above Daily OM offered wonderful words to live by and now here are mine: When I was a kid in school, I always admired the students who had their own look and their own way of doing things. It made them stand out as individuals rather than mere puppets afraid to color outside the lines. My mother was alway worried about "What would people think?" Which gave me the message that everyone else was "more" important. Bottom line: Never color within the lines, never follow the crowd and always be yourself. Do not be robbed of your authentic self like I was for the first 40 years of my life - always trying to please others never allowing myself to shine. Gay or straight no matter who you are - be yourself. NO ONE ELSE is more important! No PARENT is more important! Besides if they REALLY loved you they would want you to be your authentic self! LOVE YOURSELF FIRST above all others!