Remain true to the soul, and life magically transforms itself around you. Andrew Harvey
While reading or rereading sections of the Life Harmony course Self-Expression I came to the section of the Business of Being where one is asked “on a personal basis, how do you present yourself? How does the world see you? How do you want the world to see you? If there is a difference between how the world see you and how you want the world to see you, what action steps are required on your part to bring the two perspectives closer, or to make them the same?”
Very important questions which left me asking myself those questions, and the answer was either silence, or I am not really sure, how the world see’s me, and is it really important if I know what the world’s view of me is?
The first question needs to be answered first “How do you present yourself?” I seek to present myself as a loving compassionate person. I seek to show up as authentic as I can, I am honest with myself, and I am honest with the world around me. I don’t role play anymore, I am what I am.
Yet if I really research, I think different facets of the world view me differently, and they do that from their own perspective of who they think I should be, not from who I show up as. Can we truly bring the perspectives together, can we be all things to all people, or do we present ourselves as who we are at the moment, for the moment is the only time that being present is required.
Have I answered those questions? For now yes, what actions steps are required, the action of being authentic. Remaining true to the soul…
This weekend was filled with street fairs, first one was a local community Barrington NJ, less than a mile away, to which I walked to. Down the railroad along Atlantic Ave, up Gloucester Pike, to the main road of Chews landing Rd, which held the half mile fair on the gentle hill back down to Atlantic Ave.
From cross-road to railroad the mile was filled with booths of crafts, local business, purveyors of food and drink. Mom’s and dad’s pushed baby carriages, waddled behind, curious, wide-eyed children. The path was well trafficked with people, talking, shouting, eating, viewing all the items of display.
These events are good for doing candid shots of people doing random things, a little slice of life in suburbia… 
Than Sunday was Philadelphia’s Out Fest, one of the largest Out Festival in the country. Which is held in the Gayborhood, now being called Midtown Village. From Walnut St to Spruce between 12th and 13th. Of course this causes all kinds of crazy traffic upset in the city but hey a big gay block party is worth the inconvenience to the locals, who I know, either hate or just come up to have a good time. I met up with my friend Linda and her Boyfriend Brian,
to finally meet Brian was a welcomed treat.
Of course through out the day I chatted with new friends and old friends, watch people greet each other, groups standing around chatting, laughing, hugging and kissing.
Many people attending the booths/tables for city gay organizations I know so I always get to say Hi and catch up. Always on the look out for moments to photograph, interesting drags, fun costumes, music performance on the main stage, and dancing on the street at Spruce and 12th.
Well I have caught up with the weekend goings on, and it is only Tuesday !!!
I am Love, Jeff
the reluctant bloger 
Thanks sharing your travels with us….Yes it is a challenging subject-Self Expression!!!
You see yourself a certain way, while many others with their own perceptions see it differently as each individual looks to “See the authentic self”
I find it interesting that we sometimes wear different masks, depending on the specific situations….I seek to just take all those masks and give them to Laurie, she knows a really good resale shop!!!—LOL
Jeff – I love that you ask, “Is it really important if I know what the world’s view of me is?”
That’s an excellent question, especially when you ask it followed by what you followed it with:
“… they do that from their own perspective of who they think I should be, not from who I show up as.”
In light of your question and statement let me probe a little deeper …
I highly doubt you would change a thing about the way you take your already magnifiscent photographs. But if selling your creative art were your only source of income, would you look at it any differently (not the way you take your photographs, but the way you market yourself — the creator of the artwork? I don’t have a specific answer in mind, I’m just curious. In my experience, with people who are self-employed it matters deepely what people think about them (myself included). People have to have a tremendous amount of trust and resonate with my energy to put themselves into my hands.
By the way, I was out on Barbara’s blog and read this statement of yours. I love it: “Finding the balance, creating the space for the shadow and light to dance, rather than separate was and is the process of awakening… “
Love you comment Laurie!
Resonating with trust and energy!
Jeff I truly enjoyed your musing and taking me along with you for the weekend through your photography. Balancing and questioning that inner and outer perception of who we are is often a leadership question that comes up in my coaching work. When we don’t know how others perceive us then we are encourage to ask. I have sometime done a series of interviews for leaders around specific questions that we have developed together and sometimes their are program tools used for interviewing. I find it fascinating where the disconnects show up sometimes between how we view ourselves and how others experience us. Always leaves lots of room for powerful conversations.
Terrill
What do you think about this statement…I have come across this and it does ring true in some situations with leadership
I see my strengths and downplay my weaknesses, while others see my weaknesses and downplay my strengths….??
This is such a good post, Jeff. (I just re-posted your link on Facebook.) I think that the world thinks a lot of different things about us. Some people like us; others don’t. Some people think we’re magnificent and noble; others think we’re self-centered or challenged or whatever. I think others see us through their own particular lens. I think it’s important that we try to remain true to ourselves, as best as we can. Then, whatever the multi-faceted world thinks of us can be seen more clearly. If they don’t like what they see, we can ask ourself if something they’re seeing is our less-than-authentic behavior coming to the forefront? So that reminds us, once again, to be more authentic and true to what the soul wants.
Hi, Jeff – the question “how do you present yourself?” is so much like the question I ask myself everyday: “how will I bring my presence to life today?” And, of course, as the day goes on and people tug and pull at my determination, I often slip back into habitual ways of being. I don’t know that any of us are taught how to BE ourselves in the world. Many of us are raised to be the way our parents and other adults needed us to be. I love the other quote, too “remain true to the soul.” Perhaps that is where I should start each moment as a way to bring my presence to life — by being true to my soul. Thank you for a lovely post. I may have to blog about this.
I love the Andrew Harvey quote and find it to be so true. It’s similar to what I learned in therapy all those years ago. That you cannot change other people, but if you change yourself they will respond to that change and be transformed one way or another.
Let me assure you that when I “look” at you (by reading your words and enjoying your pictures) I “see” an authentically loving compassionate person. And I like what I see!
I like the picture of the two young guys arm wrestling. Reminds me of my sons and their friends when they were younger… It look like everyone was having a good time at these outdoor events. It’s nice in the fall when we can still be outside and it’s not too hot or cold!