Do you KNOW yourself? Are you BEING yourself?

[Johnnifer]

“Know thyself.” - Socrates

"'Know Thyself' was written over the portal of the antique world. Over the portal of the new world, 'Be Thyself' shall be written." - Oscar Wilde

Do you really know yourself? If you do, are you being yourself?

It is extremely easy to answer both of these questions in the affirmative. It is also easy to believe in the answers you offer to yourself.


In so doing, though, and acknowledging my truths for what they are, I have discovered that the entirety of my adult life has been lived in denial, fear, repression, hiding, and under false pretenses. I meant well, I suppose. I simply wanted to fit in, be “normal” (whatever that is), and not stir up any controversy.

So what better way to do this than to build up and fortify a massive psychological prison, place certain truths within, slam the gate shut, lock the door, and throw away the key, huh? Regretfully, the strategy worked well for two decades. But no more . . . .

Do I know myself? not really, I change too much to know. Exploring myself has done more to answer what I am not than what I am. And I know from the past that can change too (and when "what you are NOT" changes it is huge).

Am I being myself? definately not, stuck with my parents and all that is not very likely. Not until I get brave enough/motivated enough to face the pain and fear and move out.

You made a big point that resonates with me about being normal as the wrong move.

Since high school up to a few years ago all I wanted was to be normal and not seen as a freak. Now being normal is the last thing I want. I want to be myself, whatever that is, but in a safe place to be it.