Authenticity

Today's #30Layers30Days prompt is Authenticity.

What does the word mean to you? What makes it so hard for you to be yourself, to be seen, to be open and express yourself your way?

Authenticity is about being genuine. To me, it's a word that describes being real; not only with yourself, but with others, as well.

What makes it hard for me to be myself? I would have to say other people's perception. I care a lot about what people think of me. And I mean all people. It seems like a lot of people wouldn't really like me if I was... me! I know that isn't true, because I'm actually pretty awesome! I want people to like me. I want people to think I'm awesome ((Yeah, I'm petty like that!)). I don't want people to judge me. I want to be able to control people's opinions about me by only letting them know what I tell them. But what's real about that???

My issue is that I can't let go of that control. I'd rather be the person that I think is liked and well received. Truth is... I need to live up to what I believe in whether people like it or not.