Just out of curiosity, does it really take courage to be yourself?

Question

I mean, why do people find that so dificult to just be themselves?

Is it a self imposed social order thing? I mean, you have to be in line with what is expected of you based on your social culture.

And if that is so, is culture a good thing?

Or is a religious thing? You have to act right because you are religious? I mean when I read the words "God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son..." The words say "loved the world" not just the people that acted right, but, "the WORLD".

So why is it so hard for people to be themselves? Please help me understand.

Answer 1

So many questions in just one posting.Well,ok,here are my thoughts:
1) I don't think it takes courage to be yourself.What you need to be able to do is love yourself for who you are.
2)People have a difficult time being themselves for a variety of reasons:Foremost is low self esteem.
3)I don't think social order has anything to do with it.
4)Culture can be both bad and good.It's being accepting of other cultures different from your own that is the tough thing to do.
5)As a Christian,I have an obligation to display the love that God has for me in an open way,therefore showing others how God has changed my life. God does love the world,not just certain people/religions in it,but ALL the world.
Does this help??
Peace....

Answer 2

A very good and loaded question for sure, I can only answer from my perspective, From what you ask i can see my youngest grandson now just over a year, He is full of love and happiness all his sadness if any at all would be superficial,He can openly express his emotions,He is by all meaning of the phrase" himself"
Now I also know as he gets older, these emotions will always be in his heart, but harder to see as he will try to not be so transparent due to social culture and what it is, and probably will always be, there are some exceptions to the rule, and these are the folks who will probably be persecuted by social culture rule.
And in my experience as we get older, and we reach a certain plateau in life, you will no longer care what people think,
and have the opportunity to be who you are, and not give a crap what others think, So yes it is culture,It has some good points and well some bad ones as well.
I cant speak for the religious aspects of the question as i don't believe i know,I have my assumptions but will keep them to myself out of respect to those who need religion, to know how to feel.//JuJu\\ PS a very very good question

Answer 3

It's partially nerves... if you're meeting someone for the first time, you don't want to spill everything about yourself because it is a bit overwhelming, both to yourself and to the person you're talking to. And you wonder exactly what should be said and what shouldn't- how far do you want to let this new person into your life and your way of seeing things? And, how soon?

But a lot of times, people say they're a certain way, when they're online, and they're someone completely different offline. They can be more outgoing of they're on the computer, and not face-to-face with the other person, but when it's an offline meeting, they can be quite introverted and shy.

I think I know why you asked this question, and so based on my assumptions, I hope this answer works well for you!

Answer 4

It's not hard but the need for approval can sometimes hinder that process. Some people are actually raised to be pretentious and others create an overstated sense of self in and effort to avoid the reality of their authentic self. For example if you violate your own conscience as a defense you might hide behind a "I don't care if you like me or not" persona which is really an attempt at evading your own sense of guilt. As for social pressure it's good and bad it keeps murders in check but in the reverse can hinder artistic expression or freedom of expression.

Answer 5

Pretentiousness is a waste of MY time so I can't really help a whole lot. Some people will be anything BUT themselves just because they hate who they really are. Others feel too insecure to be what they are.

Me? Not everyone likes me but that's not my fault. I can live with that!

Answer 6

it is so hard to be ones self because everytime someone does they are persicuted for being different. no one wants to except someone who is different.

for example: i had to act as though i was just like the average christian just to get hired at a grocery store. had i gone in there and told the manager i was of another religion i wouldn't have been hired

a person can only easily be themselves when that person is excepted for who they are. so don't expect that to change.

Answer 7

When you are your real self with all you strenghts and weakness's on public display you are in a very vulnerable position, open to critisism you cannot defend other than by saying "yes I am now go away creep".

Answer 8

Life is easier when I am not myself. The world loves to see people like me in the movies but not in real life.

Answer 9

ME ! !
I am always just me..
I am what I am, and I act how I act, and say what I think or feel, and if people do not like it.OH well..smile...and maybe next time I will say something to make you laugh..
but I am me.that's who I am.

Good Luck
and
God Bless

Answer 10

You dont believe I am a German Scientist in a wheelchair with a hand that has a will of its own?