One startling truth

The most solid piece of advice I give myself and everyone else is to be true to yourself. Of course, this maxim can be misconstrued into some Machiavellian construct, but being true to yourself does not require you to step on others. In fact, you can very possibly stand up for yourself without attacking anyone else.

A recent situation in my life left me feeling used and confused, two feelings I abhor. Thinking through the situation didn’t really help resolve it either. The truth is that feeling used is perhaps the worst feeling in the world, even worse than fear or loneliness, though loneliness may be the runner up. But even as I tried to sort through the whirlwind of confusion, the resolution was quite simple. After confronting the situation head on, not in anger or haste, but in straightforward honesty, I feel tremendously freer, and even if I was being used, that feeling melted away because I represented myself; I stood up for myself, and that is what truly matters.

Nothing like a little self-respect for some emotional medicine.

Great minds agree:

“To thine own self be true” (Shakespeare)

“Just some words of advice
Maybe you've heard them before but here goes
Just be true to yourself
if it lands you in hell, well, at least now you know
Loud and clear is your heart big and bright
are the places you might someday go
With one million things holding you down,
why you're one of those things I don’t know,
No big deal here I go.” (Alkaline Trio)