In our younger days, especially as we begin school, we have this undying desire to fit in. While we’re all unique we have our ways to be like others. We might be the leader, the class clown, the follower, outgoing, shy, extroverted, introverted or simply the friendly one; whichever our social integration happens to be we try to fit in, be part of a team, a group, a culture.

As we grow we find ourselves striving to be part of “something”, sometimes we know what that is and sometimes we reaching for anything that feeds our spirit. We continue to try to fit in until one day we realize that it’s okay to just be ourselves; then we try to ‘fit out’. We follow our desires, our thoughts and wishes but we soon realize that fitting out is still fitting in, only this time it’s with the “fitting out” crowd. We mimic, we do our own thing, we find our successes and our failures eventually feeling burned out and spinning in circles.

So how do we know “who” we truly are? Do you know who your true self is? What is your authentic quality? Do you showcase it or keep it stashed away? How will you bring your authentic self to life?

When you know who you truly are and let go of the desire to fit in and to fit out, and you step back letting go of your learned expectations and everyone else’s expectations of you, you will find your true self. When you become honest with what you like, dislike, yearn for and yearn to be, when you have a dream that you think can’t be reached but see yourself living it in your mind, you have found your true self. Reaching dreams and goals is not impossible when you want it badly enough. It will take work and honest dedication but in the end it’s worth every bit of sweat, pain and tears.

It’s necessary from time to time to take time for yourself to connect with your authentic self so that you can just be who you truly are. When you’re living your life as yourself, you can make great things happen, you can live your happiness.