Not long ago I posted a photo on Facebook with the caption 'Just
be yourself, because the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter
don't mind.'
But I take it all back.
I've been thinking about this. And what I've concluded is that
you really shouldn't just be yourself if yourself is a cruel, mean and
hopelessly disgruntled, arrogant person. Because you know what? It's just not nice to go around grousing at people who've never done you any harm, under the guise of just being yourself.
If you are angry, take it out on some cause that needs
helping, or some rock that needs kicking. But don't take it out on the people
who love you and are just trying to get through the day like you.
If you have been hurt, either tell the one(s) who hurt you,
or get therapy. But don't take it out on people who didn't hurt you, on the
innocents. Don't take it out on children, or animals, or people standing in line at the grocery store. Don't be that person who goes through
the world like a bull in a china shop, emotionally knocking people out of the
way. If that is you, then please, for the love of the world, don't 'just be
yourself.' Take yourself on a hike, take
up skydiving, contemplate your navel, whatever it takes to not be that person when other people are around.
If we didn't hurt you, we don't deserve to be hurt by you.
Don't expect people to love you as you are if what you are
is un-lovable.
