For too long have you believed that it was necessary for you to show yourself to others the way you thought they expected to see you, the way they presumed you to be. Time has come for you to understand that you don’t have to do that. You need to become aware that you don’t owe others anything.
On the contrary, you have a duty toward yourself, that is to be what you are, without fearing to show it to the world. Discard the mask that you wear to please others, the mask that portrays you as a victim, the mask of exaggerated respectability, even of hypocrisy.
In order to advance on the path of achievement, total integrity is required, unless for you “to succeed” only means more money, power or fame at all costs. If this were the case, a good disguise could be useful.
Acknowledge the fact that you are wearing a mask every time you behave in a way that is different from the one you know to be right.
You are wearing a mask every time you utter a word that, deep inside, you know you shouldn’t be saying. You are wearing a mask every time you talk while knowing that it would be advisable to remain silent. Even your thoughts could present a false image of yourself to your own eyes, without you realizing it.
Try to analyze what your gut feeling tells you before saying or doing anything. Only by following the thin voice of intuition (which is never wrong) will you succeed in truly being yourself.
How often do you “really” think before speaking or acting? Usually, when you want to express your opinion on something or a judgment on someone, you go ahead and talk — without actually weighing the probable result of your exposition. In that moment you feel like talking… and you talk! Do you ever wonder — beforehand — what the outcome of your words might be?
When you have to make an important decision, you take the time to reflect upon the possible consequences that such decision might cause. You are aware that every worthy resolution deserves your attention, and you are absolutely right in giving it. But you should realize that also decisions that, apparently, seem less important — such as using one word instead of another — can have a crucial outcome or repercussion in your relationship with someone else.
How can you always be aware of the possible results of what you are about to say or do? As usual, some self-knowledge is necessary. Before jumping into action, try to understand the true reason why you want to say this or do that. Reflect for a moment about your real motivation.
If you ask yourself such question, and answer sincerely, you might by surprised with what comes up to the surface. Not always are the “real” motivations what your superficial ego tells you they are. Often there is a sort of hidden agenda in the deep of your “self” that the ego does not want you to know.
Then ask yourself what the probable reaction will be from the other party, or what feeling your interlocutor is most likely to experience as a consequence of your conduct.
Top priority should be an always-present awareness of the impact your way of acting has on others. Never forget that your words and your behavior have great value because you have the power to create or modify the feelings, the mood of another human being. You can make them feel happy or sad, you can make them feel self-confident or humiliated. Don’t you think it would be wise to use the power you have with greater caution?
