Being yourself

On Saturday I was writing a tender, working late into the night and then drove into Carlisle to post it at midnight (oh the joys of self employment). In the tender I was writing about one of the associates that I work with, describing how he works with integrity. And I was reflecting today on the train home from London that its not a word in common usage, as I think that many people don't understand its meaning.

Its just about being true to yourself, about being yourself, about living up to your own values, about practising what you preach, walking  the talk. 

When we are truly being ourselves life is so much easier.  Decisions flow more naturally from your true self, people relate to who you really are and your life finds its own direction naturally.  Yet how many of us are living by other people's values, not being ourselves every day, but being what other people expect us to be. You may be being the happy husband, the supportive wife, the loving daughter, the sympathetic colleague cos that is what the people around you have come to expect.  As long as you are living someone else's impression of your life it will not feel right.  It so much easier just to be yourself.

So next time you catch yourself thinking "If only I didn't have to......" its time for an integrity check - are you truly being yourself? Its so much more positive to be yourself rather than live as someone's imagined character.  Go on give it a try today.