Question and Thought for the Day January 5, 2025

Question of the Day

What’s something that lacked appeal as a child but is awesome now?

Thought of the Day

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.

Andre Gide

Embracing Authenticity: The Cost of Being True to Yourself** 

Thought of the Day:

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” — Andre Gide

I don’t know about you, but there are days when being yourself feels like the easiest thing in the world. And then there are days when it feels like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing that a single step forward means falling into the unknown.

Authenticity—that elusive, buzzword of a concept—isn’t always easy. Sure, we love the idea of being unapologetically ourselves, but the reality? The reality is that being yourself means you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s terrifying.

We live in a world that’s quick to offer love and validation—as long as we fit neatly into the boxes that society expects us to check. But what happens when you don’t fit into those boxes? When your truth makes others uncomfortable? When your authenticity challenges someone else’s perception of how things should be?

That’s where Andre Gide’s words hit hard. It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. It’s a reminder that fitting in at the cost of your own identity is a hollow victory. The people who love you for a version of yourself that you’re pretending to be? They don’t really love you. They love the mask you’re wearing. And that’s exhausting—keeping up a performance day after day, trying to maintain a facade that’s not real.

But what’s the alternative? Being true to yourself means risking rejection. It means being okay with not being liked by everyone. It means standing firm in your values, your quirks, your truths—even when it feels like you’re standing alone.

Here’s the thing: The people who stick around when you show up as your authentic self? Those are your people. They’re the ones who see the real you and choose to stay. They don’t love you in spite of who you are; they love you because of who you are.

And isn’t that what we’re all looking for? Real connection. Real belonging. Real love. The kind that doesn’t require us to hide parts of ourselves or mold ourselves into someone we’re not.

So, yes—it’s better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. It’s better to be authentic and misunderstood than to be popular and empty. It’s better to be real.

Question of the Day:

What’s something that lacked appeal as a child but is awesome now?

When I was a kid, naps were the worst. The idea of voluntarily going to sleep during the day felt like pure madness. Why would anyone waste daylight hours lying down when there were bikes to ride, trees to climb, and adventures to be had?

Fast-forward to adulthood, and naps have become a luxury—a rare, precious gift. A midday nap feels like a reset button for the soul. It’s funny how perspective shifts as we grow older. The things we once took for granted—quiet moments, a good cup of coffee, time spent alone—become the things we treasure most.

The same goes for authenticity. As kids, many of us felt the pressure to conform—to fit in with the crowd, to avoid standing out. But as adults, we start to realize that our individuality is what makes us interesting. The quirks we once tried to hide become the things we proudly own.

So, what about you? What’s something that lacked appeal when you were younger but feels essential now? I’d love to hear your thoughts.