Normal but not Nice

Last night after getting my kids to bed I decided to turn on a movie while I folded some laundry. I picked an old favorite that I hadn't watched in awhile - A Knight's Tale. This movie has some fantastic lines. . . so funny!

 As I was watching it last night though, something else in the movie, besides the humor, popped out at me. Several of the characters pretended to be someone different than who they actually were. William, a humble thatchers son, pretended to be a noble knight. Prince Edward, heir to the throne, pretended to be a regular knight. A few other characters also pretended to be someone different than who they really were as well. Although their reasons for doing so made sense and the ending turned out to be good for them, William especially, and although it's just a movie, it was still a deception.

 It got me thinking about how common place it is for people in real life, like the characters in A Knight's Tale, to pretend to be someone different than who they really are. . . Sadly, it is common place to deceive. I understand someone wanting to put their "best foot" forward. I understand someone wanting to make a good impression. I understand someone wanting to BECOME that ideal person. However, when a person hides their very basic nature from those around them in an attempt to impress or win others, any connection that is desired will be tainted and will never last. One's true self will always emerge, eventually.

This isn't meant to be a long or drawn out post. . . I was just thinking how important it is to be true to oneself. To be true in every sense, but also, to not be afraid of change or improvement, in order to become the very best self we can be. Perhaps these thoughts occurred to me because my Velveteen Principles book finally arrived in the mail yesterday and I have thoughts of being REAL on the brain.

The long and short of it is. . . true happiness is more likely to be found in our hearts and in our relationships (all kinds) if we are true and sincere in our very basic nature. If you have flaws, and we all do, work to improve yourself, not to hide yourself.

Okay, I am stepping off my soap box now and putting it away. . . but I will definitely be pulling it out another day. . . .So, until then, love who you truly are and then you'll be able to love those around you and they will love you as well.