I have thought about this for quite a
while. Even when the words were uttered to me as a child I wondered
about this phrase. I may think about it now in more detail but the
original reaction was: be myself? “Just be yourself and everything
will be fine.” Perhaps you have heard people say that in the past.
What does it mean though? Define what “the self” is. Was my
personality molded from being around “the others?”
It is something that all of us should
do though, and all of us think we do as well. On the other
hand, I hear the insult “poser” being thrown around like a
baseball on some days. How can a person even tell if you're being
your self? Why not put on an act or live a lie—certainly would
make things more interesting. Although, “being yourself” is a
great excuse. Then again, I have heard people say in life or on TV,
“what went wrong? I was just being myself?!” I thought being
yourself made things so much easier.
I'm not writing this to persuade. I
believe the same as everyone else: that people should be themselves.
I just find it extremely hard to accomplish based upon the inherent
qualities in human beings that make them want to idolize and emulate
those who inspire them. Seems to be quite natural in all honesty to
be prodded in to following “the others.” But with every action
comes a consequence. Going with the crowd can sometimes be a very
wise decision. Going against them... well not so much.
Unless that person happens to be so
special that when they show their true self... people begin to
follow. I will save the historic examples. The point is: by being
yourself you show a natural and pristine side that people will only
like and appreciate in secret. The remedy? I can't tell you because
then I wouldn't be being myself.
