"The problem is people are being hated when they are real and are being loved when they are fake." ~ Bob Marley
When I think about real versus fake, I think about those food commercials where they make things look aesthetically pleasing to sell their product. I'm talking about those perfect burgers with the condiments perfectly placed to look appetizing; Slowly dripping through the layers between the buns, causing stomachs to rumble in homes across the country. We see these commercials and fall in love with the product, then run out to buy said product only to be met with disappointment.
This theme of aesthetic over reality has turned society into a marketplace where everything, including our souls, have to be built up and sold in order to have value.
I have come across many situations throughout my life where I have been misused, hated, talked about and simply disliked just because of who I am.
I am no one special but I am a person who values character over reputation and prefers to tell and hear truth over pretty little lies.
I refuse to create a separate persona in order to be liked. Life is hard enough without having to maintain identities to fit the audiences I may come across.
I struggle. I want to be the best version of myself but I am put down for being me. I also want to be authentic in my interactions but find it hard when the people around me are operating from one of their personas.
I find value in the real. No one grows by faking. Example: a teacher teaches students and then gives a test. If the students fake their acceptance of the lessons given and cheats on the test, has the knowledge been transferred?
Our interactions with others are exchange experiences. How do I give of myself authentically when what I receive is counterfeit?
I have come to the conclusion that loving who I am is more important, to me, than being loved by the masses. I have also concluded that I will take all experiences and exchanges as lessons for my growth but if I come across inauthentic exchanges, I will limit those experiences and send love from afar.
It's unfortunate that people create personas so that they can be "accepted" by others when all they have to do is be themselves and the right people will find them. It hurts to be hated but the pain of not being myself is worse.
Where do you fit on the real versus fake spectrum? Whether you are faking it til you make it, so to speak, or as real as can be, know that you are loved.
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