Be you.

Esse Quam Videri~  "To be, rather than to seem to be"

If you've been out in the public at all, you've had the opportunity to see people as they seem.  In my line of work, I often get to see people as they are, not just as they seem to be.  I continue to be amazed at how rare and refreshing it is to meet someone who is truly as they seem to be.

The posers are everywhere.  Sometimes it feels like life is a giant masquerade.  While I never turn down an opportunity to dress up for a party, putting my mask on everyday and relating to people who are perpetually living in disguise is wearisome. 

The 60 year old grandma with the bleach blonde hair, fake tan, fake boobs, phony smile.  The 13 year old girl with the dark eyeliner, daisy dukes, highlighted hair and see-through top.  The 45 year old weekend warrior with his gym shorts, ball cap and in-high-school-I-broke-every-record-possible attitude.  You've all seen them running around town. 

You know why I can spot them so easily?  Cause I'm one of them.

I loved being a kid and being in college.  There are times when I find myself thinking and wishing and living like I'm still in college.  Oh the good ole days!  But can we just get real for a minute?  The college kids I spend time with are no fools.  The first time they saw me bust out my sprinkler and lawn mower moves on the dance floor, my cover was blown.

The same goes for my older friends.  Sometimes I really do hate the fact that my wisdom and understanding is handicapped by limited years of experience.  I don't know why I expect myself to know everything today that my grandma new at age 84.  But I do.  At times I find myself trying to convince the world I've got it all figured out.  I don't.  I've never had a very good poker face.

 

Esse Quam Videri.  To be, rather than to seem to be. 

Tomorrow is my birthday.  I will be 32 years old.  And I'm leaving the masquerade.  And you should too.  Frankly, that party was lame.   I've decided this year that I want to be, rather than to seem to be. 

A patient of mine asked me today how old I was going to be, then followed that question up immediately with an apology, saying. "I'm sorry.  You're never suppose to ask a women her age.  Women never tell the truth about their age anyway."  I chuckled and told him the truth. 

His response?

 "REALLY???  I don't believe it!  You don't seem that old!" 

I took his response as the complement he meant it to be.  But I walked away from the conversation with a greater conviction to be, rather than to seem to be.

What is more endearing than an awkward 13 year old girl simply being awkward?  Or more precious than a 60 year old grandma who wears her wrinkles like a badge?  Or more admirable than the 45 year old man who invests his energy in teaching his boy how to become a man. 

You see, there's nothing more beautiful than being you.  Embracing fully the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that make you, you.  Believing that who you are today is not the finished product.  Confidently knowing that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion." (Philippians 1:6).  Rest in that, my friend.  Rest in your identity, value and worth set by your Creator.  Take your mask off.

Who you are in this moment is exactly who you are suppose to be.       So be.