When we open up to ourselves, we open up to everything.
I would wager there isn't a single person who could honestly claim they've never betrayed themselves to some degree or another. Sometimes we don't consciously realize that we're doing so. Other times we do. And we certainly don't grasp the ramifications or surely, for our own well-being, we would stop.
Maybe it's time to take notice of where we're being disingenuous; where we are doing things in order to please others or to avoid confrontation; where we are acting one way, but feeling another; where we are saying something that isn't entirely true; where we are doing things we really don't want to be doing; where we are staying where we really don't want to to be; where we are saying "yes" when we want to say "no;" where we are playing victim, martyr, or co-dependent; where we are pretending to have it all together; where we are hiding parts of ourselves to gain acceptance or to fit in; where we are 'acting' appropriately; where we are masking how we really feel; where we are settling for the sake of security or companionship; where we are sacrificing ourselves out of guilt, obligation or fear; where we are living outside our values and integrity, where who we present to the world is not who we truly are.
Why are we doing this?
That is the question that will lead to some powerfully profound insights.
Sometimes we pretend so long that we start believing our own facade. But it's all a lie - a big fat lie! Living this way is cheating us out of exciting, passionate and deeply fulfilling experiences, for we can't attract authentic until we ARE authentic. It's just that simple.
Take a look. Take a deep, long look inward because if you wish for rewarding experiences and meaningful relationships, or want to attract new ones into your life that are genuine, honest and transparent, you first must be that yourself in every way. To the degree that you are (or are not), is equal to what you can expect to have show up for you in your life.
Each day of pretending is yet another day where the joy that could be yours is lost.
So get reacquainted with yourself. Nurture and embrace every single part of who that is. Get in-touch with your feelings. LOVE AND RESPECT YOURSELF. Celebrate your uniqueness. Stand in your power. Be willing to be vulnerable. Then watch your world transform.