Occasionally yourself.

Today at lunch we discussed the inner workings and dynamics of our social group.

We discussed the ways we all communicate differently.

The way we all receive and give love differently.

My argument was that you are letting society, and yourself, down if you are not yourself 100% of the time.

The opposing argument was that if you are not adhering to societal norms and unspoken rules, you are being selfish, because you're not taking into account other people's comfortability and process of their surroundings.

I mean in the end we really did not come to a conclusion, except that we're all different.

And how freaking great is that???

On one hand I have a friend who is completely uncomfortable with PDA.

On the other hand someone who just wants to hold hands in public.

So much variety of person.

We talked about those whom we exist with, and those whom we have to keep face for, in order to be around.

When we are comfortable and when we are not.

(and being theater/music kids, it's always uncomfortable)

It's an interesting place: college.

I partially have journeyed through the awkward self awareness phase that college kids have to go through.

But it's a hard place.

A place you never actually leave.

I think what it comes down to, is learning how to communicate with people.

Learning what things you believe to be true,

and sticking to them with a flexible mind and letting God do whatever comes next.

Sticking to who you are, and only letting the people, who's opinions matter most, shape your being.

Learning to let the crap people say role off your back.

And letting people who really know you, and understand your soul and how your mind works, have anything to do with the way you become who you are.

I so often let the off handed things people say, control how I feel about myself.

And that is stupid.

I love those moments when I see the magic, that only that person has.

I love those moments when I can look into someones face and I can see them, only them.

Not a mask.

Not someone trying too hard.

Not someone that they have adapted to be.

I see it when my friends Steven plays piano.

When ShawnnaRae is in dialogue.

When David is singing.

When Austin is talking one on one with a friend.

When Jordan does her hair.

In Katies paintings.

When KJ is teaching.

When Kelly is loving someone that needs someone to love them.

When Kinley is talking about teeth.

When Logan has a great pint of beer.

When Elyse is taking pictures.

When Erinn talks about farming or how much she loves people.

When my mom talks about her kids.

When Cody is hiking or camping.

When Tana is singing.

When Emily is Dancing.

When Josette is humming to her self.

I see them.

It's why I love them.

Because they are unapologetically themselves in that single moment.