How will you act with no net?
With no excuse? No safety blanket?
With no filter?
I try and answer as affirmatively as possible. For it’s the way I live my life.
I don’t pass the buck for my actions. The responsibility lies with me, and me alone.
If I make mistakes, I do what I can to rectify them. I’m not perfect, but I can strive to be better.
For I am the master of my domain. It’s critical that I assert control over my actions, even when I’m not in prime condition.
If I do something out of step because I’m sleep deprived, ill or under any number of influences, I own it. Then, I take the steps to depreciate those conditions moving forward.
Those steps could include giving up drinking, maintaining a healthier diet or adhering to a proper sleep schedule.
Regardless, the end goal is simple. I get to look upon the world without a filter. And the world gets to see the real me in real time. All the time.
Others know what to expect of me. They know how I’m likely to act.
And they know that the words coming out of my mouth — or being typed into this article — have gravitas. They have intention behind them.
I adhere to a consistent, accountably approach because I believe strongly in the One True Self philosophy. While others might believe in Being Their Best Self, I see that line of thinking as a farce — one that gives people an unwarranted Mulligan for times when they don’t act up to par.
Make no mistake. The world is watching our every move. Our actions carry more weight than our excuses.
The guy who makes a fool of himself while drunk doesn’t get a pass. Neither does the girl who says offensive things to others when she’s tired and cranky.
What we say and what we do resonates. Regardless of context, it resonates.
Heck. In this era, our facepalm moments might even go viral — for all the wrong reasons.
It’s time to cut ties with the Best Self Fallacy. To stop stumbling through life dazed when we find it convenient.
It’s time to be more accountable. To be more aware.
This might be uncomfortable at first. Especially in a world where the radio implores us to Blame it on the alcohol, amongst other vices.
But we must power through. We owe it to all those around us to take this step forward.
For we can offer so much more by being more consistent. And we can eliminate a great deal of collateral damage.
So, let’s find greater clarity.
Let’s approach life with no filter.