NONE OF US ARE PERFECT

I just want to say it out loud:

Be real.

Be honest—

With yourself first, then with life.

Let yourself be seen.

Let them see your fears, your excitement, the way your hands tremble,

How something small and silly can still make your heart soar.

People say, “Go on, show them what you’ve got!

”But what do they really mean?

They mean:“Prove yourself.”

“Show them your power.”

“Win. Dominate. Put them in their place.”

But do we ever stop to ask—

How heavy of a burden are we placing on someone when we tell them to prove themselves?

Do we see their shaking hands, their nervous voice, the fear behind their eyes—

"What if I fail?"

"What if I embarrass myself?"

No, we don’t.

We only care about the performance.

But what if we told each other instead:

"Just be yourself."

"You don’t have to be perfect."

"Do the best you can, and that’s enough."

What if we said that to ourselves too?

What if this became our daily reminder?

Wouldn’t that be so much better?

What about you?

How do you talk to yourself when you succeed?

Do you celebrate, or do you find excuses to diminish your own worth?