New acronym.   Never heard of it until the other day.   My son Zach and  his girlfriend Meagan and I were having a chat and she said “yeah he suffers from FOMO”  She was referring to someone we both know. My response, what is FOMO?  I had to LOL.  The world is full of acronyms.   I love it.   FOMO is FEAR of Missing OUT.  I like that the younger generation came up with this one.  People are waking up to their emotions and paying attention to meaning in their own life.  Now you maybe laughing like I did, but think about it.   Haven’t we all been there? FOMO.  The old saying the grass is greener on the other side.   What I have come to realize,  the grass maybe greener but it is just as hard to cut!!  Could be jobs, relationships… whatever.   One of the reasons Facebook is so incredibly popular is no one has to miss out.  We get to keep up without having to wait for the rumor mill or running into someone.   This is good and bad.

The new cyber society being created is one where people air brush their photos, post all their accomplishments, the cool parties they attend, etc.   It reminds me of another acronym.  FEAR

F -False E-Evidence A-Appearing R-Real. Or another great one EGO

E Edging  G  God O Out.    Remember this one when someones ego steps in the room.

We all have fears and insecurities, it keeps us real.    I believe society is missing the  authentic self.  We live in a glossy world of false beliefs.   “If”everything looks perfect it is.  This perception was created  along time ago.  Think about the TV shows growing up or movies.  Never once was anything out of place.  Perfect hair, clothes.  Check.  Perfect house, check.  Perfect skin, check.  Thin, check.   This creates a false reality  that we all try to live up to.  It is unrealistic.   Society embraces perfection and if we are not careful we will begin to loose our ability to feel connected to anyone’s imperfection.  Authenticity at it’s core is so attractive.  Authentic people light up a room for a reason.  They are just being them.  When we are authentic something shines out to the world that says ” I do not want to be anyone else! I am good just being me.”  Even typing it feels good.    When  we are authentic we send out good vibes because on the inside we feel the totality of being whole. We embrace our imperfect life without apology.    We also allow for less judgement.

Think about times in your life when you have appreciated someone completely different from you.  It could be as close as a family member.   Possibly  the hairdresser with the bright pink hair and gorgeous smile.  Maybe it is the young man with outrageous tattoos, and he is the first one to open the door for a little old lady while she struggles.  Perhaps it is the old guy in the suit that works 9-5 to not only support his family but his brothers too. Old people may look at the pink hair and tattoos as awful.  Young people may look at the suits are stuffy and boring.   When we appreciate the authenticity in others, we can honor our own.    As a generation let’s not be filled with FOMO.  It is so much easier to follow our own path.   To do what makes us happy as an individual, not take on  someones version of perfection.  Imitation is not the best form of flattery,  it reeks fake.   Phonies are so ’90’s.

The path to self discovery is not always easy, but the price of admission is worth it. The next time you encounter someone unlike yourself, or anyone else for that matter,  try for just a nanosecond to honor that individuals willingness to be different… to be authentic.   Lighten up!  There is  reason God gave us  daisies, orchids, roses and wildflowers.    I do love all flowers.    They say no two people are exactly the same.  We are meant to be original. Stop and appreciate how beautiful, unique and perfect everyone is in “their” own way.

 

You be You and I will be ME.

 

Who is better than You??  NOBODY!

 

 

Thank you again for allowing me to be vulnerable enough to share some thoughts I have.  I  truly appreciate your feedback.   I struggle with my imperfections like anyone else.  Love, Jules