REAL

I decided to link up for 5 Minute Friday with Lisa Jo over at The Gypsy Mama. Each Friday she encourages her readers to take a mere 5 minutes and JUST WRITE. She provides the topic each week and the only "rules" are:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
(This is a tough one for me, "Ms. Red Pen"

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
  (Love this part! We can all use a little encouragement and love in the comment section!)

This week the prompt was to write about "Real"...so here goes...

Real has some of the following meanings:
True, actual, existing or occurring from fact, genuine, authentic...

As I think about those defining words, I can't help but wonder how often I fail to be real. How often am I real with others? How about with myself? I hate to admit that all too, just as I attempt to rid myself of those dark circles under my eyes, so do I apply "concealer" to other aspects of my life.

A simple, "I'm fine," when in reality my heart is broken, my world seems to be spinning out of control, or I just don't feel quite 100%. Would they really care if I told them like it was? Worse yet...what if they think less of me because of my struggles.

It's so much easier to be that pretty little package wrapped tightly with a fancy bow than the overflowing wastebasket...the sunshine and blue skies rather than a thunderstorm.

But what if I chose to see the REALity: we all struggle. What if by being "real" I might not only feel better myself but be an encouragement to another?