[DrKirkNoliss]

i recently had a powerful epiphany that was quickly supported by the synchronous finding of a great magazine article about the exact "a-ha" moment i just had.

operating from your true authentic core self, straight from your hip, is one of the cornerstones of leading a happy, healthy life. if you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, fatigue and nervousness as a result of going about your daily affairs it could be that you are, for whatever reason, not being yourself. it could be that you are putting too much energy and thinking too hard about what you should say, think, do, be or feel. it takes no energy at all to just simply say, think, do and feel the honest truth, straight from the heart. depression, drug/alcohol abuse and many self-destructive habits can be the result of trying to be what you think the world wants you to be. instead of simply just being. it is practically an epidemic for americans today (and probably the world) that people are trying to live up to a standard set by contemporary culture. you can see it in the eating disorders, cosmetic surgeries, steroids and performance enhancing drugs which are all running rampid in our schools and among our role models.

it takes no energy at all, in fact it is quite energizing to become really good at just being yourself. life ceases to be so draining and depressing. and i find the necessity for alcohol and crutches like that, it order to relax, loosen up and have a good time, are far less necessary.

but if you are trying really hard to be the person you think your boss, spouse or friends want you to be then you are going to end up exhausted, deflated, unfulfilled, and depressed.

most of the time, i found, people gravitate towards and look up to someone who has the courage to be his/her self. and if there is a person who thinks negatively of you for just being yourself then that is their problem. and you can just be happy that you are not him/her because it is far more miserable to be someone like that.

so many wonderful things will stem from an authentic person:

+real, genuine, satisfying friendships and relationships
+courage
+self-esteem and self-worth
+cope well with adversity
+back bone (ability to stand up for yourself)
+solid foundation to build a real fulfilling, productive life

i share stuff like this because this realization really changed my life. i finally realized why i was so irritated, anxious, and depressed all the time. i was spending too much energy thinking, saying and doing what i thought other people want me to be. so i figured it may help someone else too.

this magazine article explains it far better then i do:

http://psychologytoday.com/articles/...420-000001.xml

funny story about me changing:

i have quite a few acquaintances but i only have two really close friends. and when i consciously started to make this change in myself i was nervous and worried about how i would be received. i was actually quite surprised at the reactions from my two close friends. they said that they are really happy that i am finally relaxing and coming alive. that they knew that i was "trying too hard" before but they didn't care because they liked me anyway. these are true friends. they saw the true me even though i didn't really see it yet, myself.

love to all, take it light,
foo

[BadbarmrapBef]

thanx a million for this post foosnik, i really never thought about it that way. i knew that it was important to be yourself, but not this important. i'm wasting way too much energy trying to be someone i'm not, this is a real eye-opener.

grtz,

tom

[Tapupah]

great thoughts, foo. thanks for sharing. it is helpful to be reminded of key points about our third density experience, such as this. their simplicity, truth, and tendency to be hidden from our immediate view, can be wonderful sources of catalyst.

peace and love in the light,
e.j.

[DrKirkNoliss]

awesome! thank you for writing your response. just one response like that is worth writing that whole thing.

take it light,
foo

[DrKirkNoliss]

has any of you been diagnosed with "general anxiety disorder" or "social anxiety disorder"? i swear that this is practically a magic cure for both of those things. i even took anti-depressants for a short period but they did more harm than good.

the funny thing is i haven't even really changed that much. but the stress and worry has diminished tremendously. i just don't care much anymore. i say what i want when i want and i am quiet when i want and that is it. take it or leave it. one thing that did change was i just don't do things that i don't want to anymore or try very hard to fit in. either i fit in or i don't. or i am just curious about you and i would like to get to know you better.

and if you do start being yourself and you find that you are not getting along as well with some of your acquaintances anymore, then don't be afraid to change! find other people and that is it. you will be a lot happier.

love all,
foo

[Trikaduliana]

nice work foo, i was writing about something similar this week so i've had this topic in mind and have come to the conclusion that timothy leary and other proponents of smaller societies were right.

i had the unexpected pleasure of seeing dr. leary talk at my campus way back in 1992 or 3. i expected some funny stories and counter-culture history and while i heard all that i also heard his proposal for tribal living.

the smaller a group of people who share an identity, the more 'important' each member becomes and when people have a stake in their society they gain a sense of self-worth and when a leader actually knows those who voted for him there is less deception whether deception was intended or not.

[DoctorQuquriramba]

hi everyone!

i wanted to send a huge thank you to foo and everyone for posting their thoughts on, well, simply being yourself.

what you described, foo, is exactly what has happened to me in recent years. my basic vibe towards people is now simply "take me or leave me." to those who don't resonate with what you're talking about, this might seem antagonistic. the truth is actually the opposite. being myself lets others be themselves. ah, the simplicity! the path to reaching this state of being, however, may be a bit twisting and winding. but it sure is worth it!

thanks again.

peace,
doug

[freevideoandoicsI]

greetings
thanks foo for your post. it,s good to be reminded of things like that. often one gets caught up with so much info that you get to a point where you can't see the wood for the trees.
you've certainly helped me. thanks.

peace and love,

yusuf

[zoneouddy]

great thoughts everyone.

another important side note is that just as it is important to be yourself. it is very important to allow all others to be themselves just as they are.

love,

megan

[DrKirkNoliss]

thank you! it makes me so happy to see such positive responses.

it is really amazing how such a seemingly simple thing could make such a big difference in my life. it makes me go, "duh! why didn't i think of this before?"

love to all,
foo