The Me Nobody Knows

I’ve always believed one could live many lives through the way we dress and the places we travel to, even if just in our imagination. The world is open to us, and each day is an occasion to reinvent ourselves.
~Ralph Lauren~  

When I stumbled upon this quote it required a pause. It was yet another (in the words of Oprah) “a ha” moment. Most of who we are is shaped early in life, influenced by our parents, society, grade school, a sorority, etc. What we need to realize is self identity and awareness is organic.  It is an awareness of who we're meant to be, what we've become and the distance in between. Now is the time to lay aside the weight. What weight?  Take your pick:

• Perceived normalcy
• Conformity
• Cautiousness
• Boxes
• Safety
• Labels

One early summer morning while on the beach at Martha’s Vineyard I watched the Polar Bears, a group of women, all shapes and sizes, do their morning swim. I chatted with a few of them after they'd emerged from the water. They weren’t concerned about their hair or whether they were photo ready in their swimsuits. Most of these ladies had reached an age when they recognized how much time had been wasted with that nonsense.  The  morning ritual was about the fellowship, spirit, encouragement, exercise, and sisterhood. They were enjoying life, their little piece of the island and peace of mind. They were free. For some of us it takes a life time to reach that place of authenticity. However, we shouldn’t waste another second on mulling over the changes we’ve been too passive to make or that real person that exists inside. That journey to authenticity takes a while so we better start now. Go ahead:

• Go natural (or get a perm), wrap your hair in a turban
• Get that passport and go to Greece (or plan the trip)
• Take a painting class
• Go on a mission's trip
• Go to the beach and actually swim
• Write that song, book or screenplay
• Trade printed fabrics for your traditional black
• Date outside your race 
• Join a running group
• Try those DIY projects you've been saving
• Tell people how you feel

Live your life. Get off Facebook and into your car.  You can become the person that’s been hiding inside. Step out, and don’t apologize. The rest of the world will come along for the ride.