“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” – Bruce Lee

Do you know anybody in your life who is just really weird? Or has these interesting quirks and nuances about him/her that society would find odd, and yet you can’t help but love them for it?  Do you know why?  Its because they are being authentic.  Truly, and completely authentic.

When I look at a lot of my closest friends, I realize it has far less to do with us living close to each other, or having a lot of commonalities, or sharing the same beliefs.  It has far more to do with the fact that they are all really authentic people.  Its the times when we become inauthentic do people start to see right through it.

Last Sunday I was invited to a dinner party at the very last minute.  Old friends from school, some I hadn’t seen in over 2 years.  So I showed up and there were a few people that I didn’t particularly care to see because I wasn’t really close to them, and there were a few people who I was very excited to see.  One of my close friends, who I didn’t know was going to be there, showed up after I did.  He looked at me with a wtf I didn’t know you were going to be here look and brushed me off.  He put on his “identity mask” as I like to call it.  I didn’t take it personally because I knew it had nothing to do with me.  But just realize, and observe yourself when you put on these masks.  It happens to us all, so be completely honest with yourself that you are doing it.  Its ok, but try not to lose your authenticity when that happens.  You will be glad you took the mask off.