Whose Skin are You In?

Well, "Free to Be" (previous post) was kind of an unrealistic idea. But I do think we can take this concept and use it in moderation. I like the idea of being real not only in personality but in our life's path. So many of us live our lives in someone else's skin. (Just a second while I check to see whose skin I'm in). We never give ourselves the opportunity to realise our own dreams. In a perfect world money would not play a part in our choice of career paths. But we all know that most of us live a far cry from a perfect world. I wonder if, we were allowed to choose our life's work and still make an adequate income, would we suddenly be happy and fulfilled? I think we could as long as death, disease or some other unfortunate event didn't rear it's ugly head.
This all came to light because of the recent change in my life. I was thrust into reality when a new boss took over and turned my life inside out. It made me realise that people put on such a false pretense of who they really are. Maybe they have a false sense of themselves. It made me wonder if we really know ourselves at all? I wished that I could have portrayed my true self and feelings, instead of playing nice. The reality is that we are all so afraid of being rude to another person, that we will get into an elevator with a perfect stranger, even though we feel uncomfortable and our instincts are telling us that this is not a good idea. We do this because we are afraid of being rude and hurting someone's feelings. The truth is that no other animal other than a human will do this. They all follow animal instinct not animal etiquette. I don't condone rude or mean behavior, but I do think that we do need to take a stand for ourselves. I did not stand up for myself in my most recent plight. When I was backed up to the edge, I jumped. Yes, I do have a few bumps and bruises but they are healing slowly. Although this was a drastic measure, it allowd me to leave with my dignity and itegrity intact. I am sure that something wonderful will come of it. (You can't see my fingers crossed behind my back;] ) I may have bent up my ego and my dignity a bit, but they are still there. I do wish however I had been able to speak my mind and say how I really felt rather than playing the nice girl, now last in line on payday. Oh, I forgot, I'm not in line yet.

Free To Be

Sometimes I sit and wonder what it would be like to do as you feel and feel as you like. The freedom to say what is really on your mind. The right to wear whatever feels good. The luxury of not doing anything at all if that is what you choose. Instead we must plaster a Mcdonalds smile on our face and say have a nice day to the people that we would least like to see have a nice day. We must dress for success and always be age appropriate. We drag ourselves out of bed to go to a job that we hate and that does not really reflect who we are inside. We kiss up to the boss in hopes of a fat raise or early promotion. We pretend to be interested when our friends tell us how great little Bobby is for the twelfth time in only a week. We come home every day only to put in another full day of work by making dinner, spiffing up the house, running the kids to soccer, helping them with their homework and then reading them a lovely story before bed.

What would happen if we all just suddenly became true to ourselves? What if we did what we were truly meant to do? No more wondering if your neighbor really liked your dog or your girlfriend loved the way you dress. No worries about whether your husband finds you funny or you guests love your decorating sense. Everyone would speak their mind at all times. What would the world be like? Could we handle such candor? Would this make it easier by taking they guess work out of our decisions? How would you feel and who would you be? Do you know your true self? Are you in touch with what is really inside? Do you have an inner muse? Who is she and can she speak for herself/or for you? What would really happen? Would our world suddenly become an unbearable place? If everyone ate what they wanted and said what they thought, would we all be a bunch of size 10 bullies with bed hair, wrinkled clothing and really really bad breath? Or would the world turn as it should without the stress, envy, greed and pompous act. Would this cut down on disease and self inflicted ailments? I wonder could we live in that kind of place and if we did who would we be? Do you know your true self? Who would you be? What is the first thing that you would do or change about your life? Ha, made you think didn't I? Take a moment and let me know what you think without the sugar coating or pompous act please. Just the real you. Can you do it?