Earlier today in the gym, I exchanged a short convo with a fellow regular. I wiped my forehead with my towel while she programmed the elliptical beside.

-”Good to see you! How are you?” I asked.

She followed with an explanation of what she was going through these days and how she approaches this reality. 

-“One person might tell you that I’m a sweet lady; while another could say that I’m cold blooded!” 

She explained that she acts accordingly to the people around; hence, not everyone gets the same version of her. I listened and drank some of my bottled water.  She started her workout and I took a few moments standing beside her, just sending good energies.

As I walked away; I told her about my wish:

-”I hope things will get smoother for you!”

I did.

I must also admit: I was a little puzzled. 

Different versions? I’m concerned, so I try to relate.

If I look back on my journey; there was a time where I presented different versions of myself to distinct people. Those efforts were restless and heavy. 

With one individual, I was this way.

In front of someone else, another way. I believe this inconsistency really came from me; my flawed presence. I did not know what values drove me; I wasn’t aware of the importance of consistent integrity.

I was becoming. Ah!

That’s funny. I’m still becoming.

But somewhere along, I understood where to focus my energy.  I committed to cultivating my true essence and to choosing my leading strengths. Today, I wouldn’t trade who I truly am, what I truly love; or what I believe in—for anybody.

If someone is hurtful to me, or hurtful to people I love; I’ll strive and I’ll work, I’ll aim to be kind and to forgive. Everyday, everyway: it’s not about others. 

It’s really about me: how I want to act and what I want to be. I cannot control other people’s actions.  I also recognize that negative attracts negative, love attracts love. 

So…no thank you. If you act poorly around me; I’m committed to my non involvement. It can get harder at times, but I aspire to perfect this skill.

My friends and family know this about me.  I don’t ill talk or act vengefully.

FYI – hurt people hurt people. I’m trying to stop the cycle.

Plus, to present different versions, to argue or to keep tabs: it’s not worth my peace. I don’t really know this woman but I hope she sticks to the loving version of herself. I do know this: it’s hard to keep up with the latest version of any electronic device, much harder to keep up with the conversion of any part of our true self.

Let’s move on to stretch our minds and hearts.

#seeyouatthegymtomorrow