What does “Be Me. Be Natural” mean? No idea.
When I made that phrase my tagline, I had not thought deeply of the meaning behind. It just sounded right. It sounded mysterious and philosophical.
So I put it there.
Today I had an ah-ha moment. Nothing tumultuous happened. There was no spectacular comet shower. I was sitting at home in my pajamas, staring into space, and the ephemeral flash came – and went so quickly I had to jot it down before it disappeared again.
The phrase signifies my continuous strive to merge the private self into the public persona.
Through the days of perpetual anguish and self-flagellation that my existence was a mistake, depression prevailed. But it prevailed for a reason. It told me that something was not right in my life. Something needed change.
Was it the job? The relationship? The city I lived it?
Perhaps. But those were not the ultimate aspects.
I needed to change. I needed to stop putting on a mask. I needed to accept who I was – both the good bits and the bad bits, and accept the fact that the bad bits were not too bad. Everyone has his or her devilish domains.
For so many years, I strived to live up to an image, an expectation, and a reputation. I wanted to be liked, to be loved, and to be adored. I read all this literature about what a leader and manager should be like, what kind of girl can keep a man, and what obligations I must uphold as a daughter.
The world cherishes positive qualities, but of course, for who would not prefer to be in the company of someone who was calm, collected, humorous, and friendly, and to work with someone who was organized, confident, efficient, a team player and communicated clearly?
So I focused on establishing those qualities, improving them, and becoming better in those aspects. At the same time, I practiced suppressing the impatient impulses, the tantrums, the rage and sarcasm at stupidity, and the I-do-not-actually-care-what-you-are-wearing-today stoic expressions in lieu of the sociable, happy, bubbly me.
We exhibit the qualities we believe are called for. We censor the less desirable traits. Human nature. Understandable.
Not many people like to talk about stress, death, suicides, depression, anxiety, panic attacks. So we reword and focus on “how to be happy,” “how to live a fulfilling life,” how to find purpose,” “how to build rainbows”… Those are important too but need not be at the expense of ignoring the challenges, the negative emotions, and the challenges we face.
Unless we confront them, confront those facets of us we consider ugly, we are only sweeping what needs to be resolved under the carpet until one day we trip over the bulge that is not so hidden.
That was what happened to me. I lost myself. I fell over my own self. I forgot I had other characteristics that were also me, and defined me. It was okay to be me and hated once in a while.
Anger, sadness, agony, frustration, stress, rage, disappointment, diffidence, indifference… no one likes to talk to about them or dwell into the emotion. Each time I was sad someone was bound to tell me, “Just be happy! Forget those things! Don’t think like that! Many are less fortunate than you…” and I would feel guilty to pursue an understanding of why I felt sad. But what is wrong with appreciating the reasons behind my intense sorrow?
Those were signals from the universe, my body and my mind and soul converging to tell me I needed to makes changes in my life and unless I understand the signals, how would I know what to change?
So first step was to empathize and embrace my own emotions and qualities – all of them. Only then will I know who I am in private.
Second step then, is to be my private self even in public. And not to be afraid of doing so.
I will not always be able to smile at your nonsensical and irrelevant banter because sometimes I get tired too. And sometimes, I simply am not interested in how much money you spent buying another Ferrari. I was hoping to discuss the Third World War and sustainability issues with you. Thus, forgive me if I stop putting on my smiling mask. I am showing you, the real me.
That is the power of being me, being natural. That, is the power of change depression could initiate…
May my efforts be appreciated…
What masks do you wear everyday? For how much longer will you wear your masks?
Two quotes by Jung.
1. “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”
but
2. “We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”
So in order to change yourself in the depth, we need to start by accepting ourselves. “Ourselves” deliberately in plural, and all of every one of “them”. This is indeed is a terrifying experience, partly because it means you will lose the former self.
Hi Svante
Honoured you chose to impart some wisdom on my humble site 🙂
It indeed is a terrifying thing to accept myself, especially when I discover my “evil” sides – but then, who is to judge what is evil or not? The condemnation of “evil” has made me suppress too much…. now Nochie monster is about to liberate…
So perhaps, Jung is the wiser one
Nochie
Hi Nochie
How’s things been? Long time no see =)
Some do wear masks for as long as they live.
Some realize they wear mask…some early, some late. Some change, some don’t.
Some are happy wearing masks, some not.
Some like masks, and even have multiple masks for “different occasions”
…it doesn’t really matter – in the end, it’s statistical and empirical.
What matters most truly is living meaningfully, doing things that bring meaning to our lives. Each has their own song they dance to.
You too, and I pray and hope that you find your song, and dance like no one’s watching or judging. =)
Hi Nigel
Howz the new business set up? Decided on the tagline? 🙂
yes. at the end, it’s all the same. So yes, today I got up and danced a little dance in my bear room for you and your wife for always supporting me from afar!
No one was watching… except the bears…. 🙂
Nochie
我也有何你同样的迷惑,什么才是自己?如果说性格决定成功,那么为何有些奸诈缺德的小人又能成功呢?我也不知道也没有力气去了解这个自己。
我一直想恢复过去那积极的自己,但总觉得无法做到也很沮丧自己无法面对自己,我好好好失败。
原本要写很长的一篇稿,没力气了,明天还要逼自己见顾客,心里会很焦虑。
Hi Black Dog
I don’t know either. I hv also realized though, that if i keep thinking about others, I get bitter and unhappy. So I stop asking why they can and I can’t, and just focus on my own improvement. And maybe, the “old” us is gone, I’m trying to get to know the “new” me, with the experience of depression and how it can make me stronger?
How is your business going?
Noch Noch
如果我们在朝着一个更好的自己而努力?那我们要成为“怎样”的 一个自己?有时我们抑郁是为了要变成更“积极”或“真实”自己?真实自己会让自己的一生被虚度了吗?如果真实的自己是“现在”的自己还是“以前”的自己?种种的疑惑缠绕在心里深处,不能散去。。。
yes, it is not a rational thought, that is the whole point…我喜欢你说的这句话,这是我心里深处要表达,要表达的一样东西,我,已经无法理智的去思考,没有“力”再去思考。。。
有时我还是会和朋友出来,但我仿佛感觉自己没办法融入他们,我的忧郁仿佛就像一道墙,将我和我自己的灵魂,身边的一切隔离起来。有时要装得若无其事,但心里的那股声音在质问着自己,你现在这样,这不是你噢。。。
我的设计生意拆伙了,哈!我好窝囊,真的好窝囊,最没有的人就是自己了。
Hi Black Dog
Oh I am sorry to hear of your business. Maybe you can do the business on your own? Do it at your own time and pace and whenver you want to
Yeh, I don’t know how to decide which one is me. Maybe it’s too much for me to think about. I just live my day one day at a time now. Depends what I feel each day
Noch Noch
I love to read what you write, it seems that some one very close to me is writing for me…… in very simple language.
Thank you for your support Vijay, I am encouraged by your comment
Noch Noch
noch noch,
i have read and loved quite a few of your blog posts. after reading this one, i have to say something; you are perfect!
thank you for sharing your story w us and opening our closed minds (at least mine).
Aun
Thanks Aun, though I am far from perfect, and maybe it’s better I’m not hahaha 🙂
Hope you are well wherever you are
NN