#zerosophy

Positivity will never rule your kingdom when negativity is sitting on the throne.

We never learn what hidden gems lay along the paths we fear — or are too lazy — to take.

Related:

Leveling up in life

You can’t be yourself when your personal identity is directly linked to what others think or say about you. Good or bad.

Every single person on the planet is a work-in-progress.

When you truly know who you are — and who you are in the process of becoming — you will no longer live in fear of what people say or think about you.

And that is a powerful place to be.

Those you attract into your life will know the true you, not some distorted or diluted version of yourself that you present to others in order to maintain one’s friendship or approval.

No, not everyone will like you (whether you try to please everyone or not), but those who do will like and respect you for who you truly are.

Be a good person — as you are and in your own way — and you will attract more of those types of people into your life.

Because in a world of media manipulated trends, spin, fake news, and superficial celebrities, authentic, genuine, and confident people are much rarer than they should be.

So step it up, if you haven’t.

And keep it up if you have.

We need you.

“When you are brave enough to be yourself, you give others permission to do the same.”

Related:

The unique you is beautiful

The freedom to be

You are not a book (and why that matters)

Integrity

Self-love vs Narcissism

The problem with the expression “Be yourself”.

To be yourself. It isn’t easy.

Who we are today

We are surrounded

Offsite: When you are brave enough to be yourself…

Offsite: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else

“You have such a great attitude.” “I love how you handle life.” “I really respect how you deal with things.” “I admire your tenacity.”

All great ways to let people know they’re doing well in your eyes.

Related:

Take the time to say it.

Lanes Merge Ahead

Go ahead, make someone’s day…

Hey. You got this. It’s all you today.

Go get it. It’s yours.

[Oh, you know you got it? Awesome. Go encourage someone who isn’t so sure!]

Related:

How to be a Superhero in Real Life (part 1)

Be awesome. Make someone smile today.

Everyone deserves someone who makes them look forward to tomorrow

Offsite: Smile

Offsite: Smile [photo]

Excerpt from: The unique you is beautiful

Every time you change something unique about yourself in order to be just like someone else, a piece of the best part of you dies.

Related:

The unique you is beautiful

It’s OK to be weird

Not everyone will understand your journey…

When you truly know who you are…

Resistance isn’t futile

The mock of shame

The unique you is beautiful

The problem with the expression “Be yourself”

To be yourself, it isn’t easy

I’d rather be interesting than normal.

Offsite: If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.

Offsite: Normal is…

Offsite: “Masks” by Shel Silverstein

Offsite: Neil deGrasse Tyson: Be Yourself

Offsite: Normal is nothing more than a cycle on a washing machine

Offsite: Be uncommon

Offsite: Weird is just a side effect of being awesome

Offsite: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else…

Offsite: When you are brave enough to be yourself…

Offsite: Am I going mad?

All one has to do is open a magazine, turn on the TV, or browse the Internet to see that we’re constantly bombarded with marketing that tells us we need to have, or wear, or drink, or be something in order to fit in.

The message is repeated so much and so often that some people actually believe it. And not only do they believe it, they use it as a guide to judge others.

It should be obvious that the kind of car someone drives to get from point A to point B is a ridiculous thing to judge someone for. But many are guilty of doing so.

But that’s not all.

You’ve got to wear the right clothes, go to the right school, root for the right sports team, drink the right liquids, listen to the right music, play the right games, make a certain amount of money, and watch the right TV shows.

If you don’t, then you are somehow deemed to be lacking in some way. People fear being mocked or ridiculed, so they fall in line. They buy THE right brand — or follow the crowd.

A crowd of people who now constantly compare themselves to others to make sure they “fit in” and judge those who don’t meet their expectations of what they need to have, or be, or do to be accepted.

What’s the point of fitting in if it means by doing so, you become someone who judges those who don’t do, say, have, or like all the same things you do?

Is that a healthy way to look at the world?

Life is hard enough without people advocating an “us vs them” lifestyle.

“I could never see myself being friends with someone who roots for [national sports team].”

Wow.

Do you actually believe the world would be a better place if we all bought or liked or supported the same things?

I hope not.

If a person is a good person, contributes to society when and where they can, and is a positive force in the world, absolutely none of this superficial stuff matters.

“Dude, come on. That’s a girly drink.”

You don’t want to be someone’s friend because they like something you don’t?

“OMG. Look at their hair.”

You think someone is “weird” because they have a strong enough sense of self that it allows them to express who they are in a way that isn’t the same as everyone else?

“What a bunch of geeks.”

You think something people like is weird because you can’t be bothered to find why some people find it so appealing?

You think anyone who has a different view or opinion is the enemy?

I’m just asking questions.

I’d like to believe we live in a world where people are actually far more tolerant, open-minded, and accepting than they sometimes appear to be.

Especially on social media.

Other people, especially those who don’t see the world in the same way that we do, have a tremendous amount to teach us if we can just keep our minds open long enough to learn it.

“If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.” — Pema Chodron

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about making progress.

Remember, how we judge others is how we judge ourselves.

Related:

The unique you is beautiful

With respect, tolerance, and an open mind…

The mock of shame

Relations & relationships

You aren’t who you think you are. The problem with the expression “Be yourself”.

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

Offsite: Normal is…