Why is it that people try to be someone they aren’t? I just don’t get it. What you see is what you get with me. Maybe that explains some things……verdict is still out. On my dating profile, I wrote something to the effect of I am able to talk to the janitor and the CEO. I don’t care what you do for a living. What I care about is who you are, what your values are, what matters to you. I was married to someone who cared about status and position or title. Somehow being a C-Suite member meant you’ve made it. Is that true? Likely not. What is success? To me, success is being a good person. It’s showing up without condition. It’s being selfless without expectation. It’s having compassion and empathy and being vulnerable. It’s recognizing there is so much more out there than our little bubble likes us to believe. It’s knowing the world is smaller than it seems. It’s thinking from a spiritual and worldly lens. It’s understanding that every action has a reaction. It’s building a confidence and strength within, but not feeling like the world must be told about it. Trust me, the world will see it if you possess it. I don’t know…..in this world of social media, I see things that people post and think that there’s no way this is their day-to-day life. Maybe that’s being negative, but seriously. Life is not perfect. I become so frustrated with the portrayal of perfect lives on social media. There are couples I know who seem perfect who will be the first to tell you it’s far from it. What makes them work is knowing that they are able to be themselves in all situations and be assured their partner has their back. When things are hard, they show up…..and they keep showing up. I’ve been divorced a while…..alone even longer. In the world of dating, I’ve realized that I am told there’s surprise that I act the same way, regardless of the situation. It’s as if people think I should behave differently depending on the situation. Now, I’m not talking about when it’s appropriate to drop a four letter word. Let’s be real…..I do know to not speak like that in church. That’s not what this is about. That is simply having manners and an awareness of when things are appropriate or not. I try not to hold back how I feel, yet there are certainly moments when I do. If you really know me, you can see when I hold back. I need my friends, those closest to me to push me to talk. I’m a verbal processor, for sure. That can feel like a lot for those who hold me close. When I date someone, it’s with the intent of forever. I spent 26 years with someone who was not my forever. It’s so easy to give up when things get hard. If you know me, you know that’s not at all how I operate……it’s not who I am. I believe hard means growth. I also KNOW that those who stick with you through hard times are the ones you should hold tight. They are the genuine people in your life, who care about you without condition.