Living Intentionally - Fake It

Living Intentionally - Fake It

The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well. —Joe Ancis

HERE’S A NOVEL IDEA for some of us: Fake it for a change. Be yourself.

I have a darling child in my life named Samantha who, I have no doubt, you will someday watch as she accepts her Academy Award for Best Actress. At four years old, this little gal can become a character faster than you can load a DVD. She changes from costume to costume, scene to scene, accent to accent, as she entertains you with her incredible wit and conviction (on cue). But Samantha knows who she is when she takes off her Cinderella dress. She doesn’t stay in character so long that she forgets who she really is. Unfortunately, many of us do. We have put on an act for so many years that we’re out of touch with our authentic selves.

I have lived my life in two very different worlds, both of which I am deeply grateful for. It’s because I have lived in these two worlds that I can state, as fact, that I know there are at least six groups of women who suffer from an inability to be genuine. They are (in no particular order):

women who live in an upper socioeconomic class: rich girls

women who live in depressed financial circumstances: poor girls

women who aggressively climb the corporate ladder: working girls

women who invest their hearts and souls in the raising of their children: mommy girls

women who spend their Sunday mornings in church: good girls

women who spend their Sunday mornings in some Joe’s (what’s his last name?) bed: bad girls

Did I leave anyone out? Nope. I think this about covers us all.

Being a totally authentic person is absolutely frightening for some of us. It means we can’t hide behind a fantasy to guard our heart. It might mean becoming transparent, which equates to putting away the status; the piety; the Botox; the executive title; the perfect kids; the money; the reckless behavior; the Gucci bag. . . . It means we have to forfeit our props so that our real character can be known.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5:10)

Are you ready for your true self to be restored?

I hope you will consider a coming-out party.