I am trying to understand why people have such a difficult time with being who they really are. There is so much falseness and pretending. I feel that I have no idea who anybody really is. Are we so worried that we won't be liked that we have to pretend to be someone we are not? What does that say about us? Why can't we let people be who they are and like them or not based on that? Why do we continue to say things behind other people's backs? Especially to those we are supposed to love? If we can't be upfront and honest with those we love - who are we ever going to be honest with? Perhaps we need to start by being honest with ourselves. Life is much too short for me to spend it being one person here, another person there. Sure I want to liked and loved - but not at the cost of losing myself. I heard that the true measure of how good is your heart is not based on how many you love but on how many love you. How can someone love you if they don't know who you are? Maybe we need to step back and re-think what love and relationships are for. No wonder so many relationships don't last. There is no truth or honesty for a foundation. Then when we do show our true colors, there is no room for change or growth. We shoot ourselves in the foot. True love is accepting someone just as they are, even if they never change. It is wanting what is best for them at the cost of our own wants. How much better life would be if we were more honest about who we are and truly loved!