Photo Credit: Victor Habbick/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
One day, “Barb” approached me. She smiled as she dusted pretend lint from my jacket.
“You’re really a ‘people person’ aren’t you?”
I wasn’t sure where this was headed. Barb and I were acquaintances, but not close friends.
Was she being complimentary or was there some hidden meaning behind her remark? I got odd vibes as she brushed at my jacket again.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
The smile never left her face. Something foreign flickered in her eyes–something I’d never seen before.
“Like moths to a flame,” Barb laughed. “You attract folks. Naturally, even. Must be nice being so real.”
Okay. Now she had my full attention.
“Well, thank you for the compliment, Barb. I think.”
“Oh, that wasn’t a compliment. Just an observation. You seem to like people and they seem to like you. And you don’t work at it, do you?”
That in itself was telling.
Barb was a fake.
I’d always suspected as much, but I thought (hoped) I’d read her wrong.
I skirted her question. “If you have to work at liking others maybe it’s time for a change.”
Her smile faded. Her demeanor changed.
Icy reserve.
This was a different side of Barb. The side, I’m guessing, people rarely saw.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She glanced at her watch, making a point. “Wow. Gotta scoot. I’m being nominated for club president.”
Yes, I knew that. Everyone did.
“Congratulations. That’s really an honor.”
“Uh huh.”
She was half-way down the sidewalk when she turned and added, “Hey, great jacket, by the way. Red’s your color. Looks just like the one I took to the campus resale shop. Glad I was able to give to a worthy cause.”
To this day, I can still see the bounce in Barb’s step and hear the clickety-clack of her boots against the concrete as she meandered on her way.
Instead of feeling small, as she’d intended, I felt sorry. Sorry for her. Sorry for the burden she carried.
I’ve never been good at facades. Maybe that’s why I’ve always thought it easier to just be me.
I don’t race to keep up with the “Barbs” of this world.
I try to practice Galatians 5:22. Because I’m human, sometimes, I fail.
When we’re comfortable with who God created us to be, there’s no need to be artificial. We recognize that we’re all unique individuals with equally unique talents.
Fake people may pull the wool over our eyes for a time, but sooner or later, the truth comes out. The fiber of who they are unravels when the weight of expectation becomes too much.
On the other hand, when we’re real, it liberates us.
We make the conscious decision to say to the world, “This is who I am.”
Being authentic doesn’t give license to rudeness. It frees us to extend the same grace that God grants everyone on a daily basis.
******
What’s the biggest stumbling block that prevents people from being themselves?
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What We Believe about Ourselves
Photo Credit: Victor Habbick/Free Digital Photos.net
Blessings Always,
Comments 4
This is an outstanding post, Cindy.
I think people are afraid to show their real selves sometimes. They are afraid of not being accepted as they are – Insecurities rear their ugly heads and the fakes must beat them down by putting on the forced smile AND jumping on an opportunity to put people down so they can feel puffed up. So sad…
Author
Loree, it can indeed become a double-edged sword. Granted, there are situations that call for professionalism and propriety, but I’ve never been one to put on airs. And I’m happier for it.
It’s hard enough keeping up with who I am, let alone trying to be someone else! lol
Author
Patti, isn’t that the truth?!