Tell your life story from someone else’s point of view.

 The odd thing about this one is that I can’t even tell my life story from my own point of view. Each day I live is a building bock to the tower that is my life. Each day adds on, one block on top of the next, until finally that edifice is a finished book, a story tied up and done with a knot and bow.

But until that day, whenever and if ever that day may be, I’ll keep stacking.

One of my close friends told me recently that she was sick and tired of me acting like I want acceptance and to fit in.

This took me completely by surprise. I know that no one wants to view themself in that way, but personally, my golden rule is to live each day being true to myself and doing things that are important to me and for me.

Which is why my friend’s statement was more than a little disconcerting.

I hope beyond hope that what my friend’s observation was some sort of fluke. I hope I was just having a bad day and stress was making me act out.

However, it was a good wake up call.

Because, much like everyone else in this world, I strive regularly to love and be loved, the importance of putting others first is imperative.

But as cliché as it sounds, in order for others to love you, and in order to love others, you have to love yourself first.

And I try to weave that message into the tower that is my life each day by following the golden rule of being true to myself.

The thing is, contrary to what my friend’s observations may have been, I do the things that I do because I want to do them.

I don’t dress for other people.

I don’t act for other people.

I don’t say things for other people.

I don’t make friends with certain people for status.

Of course, everyone wants to be accepted and liked, but I think the true way towards that is being 100% yourself. Just like your parents and tween books say, just be yourself.

It’s not about doing what the popular kids do. Isn’t popularity relative anyway?

I don’t worry about what others will think of my clothes. I try to wear clothes I like.

I don’t act a certain way to fit in. I try to stay true to my character.

I don’t say things contrary to my own beliefs for acceptance. I try and speak up for myself.

I don’t worry how my friends make me look. I get to know people who I think are interesting and make me think and bring out the best in me.

I sincerely hope this doesn’t come across and some self-help essay on why BEING YOURSELF IS #1 and LOVE YOURSELF NOW.

We all have days where we want don’t to be different and blend into the wall or hide under the desk after saying something odd. We all have off days, unsteady blocks on the tower of life. Sometimes it’s so hard to be true to ourselves.

And it’s unfortunate when our friends witness those days and people don’t see our real selves.

I hope that others see my life as something honest and true,  and I will work hard each day for that idea to come across, despite the bad days that come.