Authenticity seems like an easy enough concept to follow. But we all know that is not the reality. Throughout our days, we all put on several masks. Whether they be at work or around our friends. Whether it be to hide the truth or the lie of an opinion. We have all been there. Ironically, we live in a time where your opinion is demanded, but only if it falls in line with what is currently accepted. The "new norm."

My question is, where does that leave open talk? How does that affect individuality? And by no means am I fighting the good fight. Simply a man (sorry, not sorry if I am not politically correct) with enough experience to speak your truth.

There are countless cliches saying things like being yourself, everyone else is taken, and there's only one of you. While all good points, that's not my case. I am not pushing for you to speak your mind and have your voices heard. I say shit I shouldn't say all the time, but that's just me. Learn to read the room. All I am doing is bringing attention to the masks that we wear. And the fact that we rarely speak our truths or, better yet, live our truths.

Of course, this is a generalized statement, and if the shoe fits, wear it. But most of the time, when someone speaks their truth, it comes from a breaking point. It is never from a calm and collected perspective—almost reaction-driven than naturally expressed. Usually, when we are ourselves, it's because we were pushed to be that.

Worn out, low energy, just not that into it must mean you need to recharge your batteries and go on vacation. 1 week of bliss later, you come back to jump on the same hamster wheel that will in 1 calendar year bring you right back to the same tipping point. Do you understand what I am saying?

Why do we wear that mask?

Is it because we have no other option? Is the red pill not available? Why must we wait for a tipping point to take off the mask?

This topic came from a conversation I had with a fellow barber. He came to me and asked how can he get sponsored by a company, travel, and teach? When asked this question, the first thing out of my mouth is, why do you want to do that? The majority of the time, they respond to make more money.

So what do I say? Why not just raise your prices? This is where we don't speak our truth. Over time hearing the same excuses that follow has lead me to believe in programming. Dozens of conversations like this across dozens of states with entirely different people. How is it possible that I can anticipate the answers they shoot from the hip, verbatim? Everyone states the same limitations and reasons that they will not make more money at home vs. traveling and teaching. They are wearing a mask.

Lead to believe that this is the road to follow. Worst of all, that mask is not even theirs.

Why do we wear that mask? Why don't we speak our truth?

The neighborhood I am in won't allow me to charge more than what I am already charging? Bullshit. In New York City, not in an affluent area, while everyone else was charging $12-$15 for a haircut, I charged $25. And I was booked out more than everyone else. Was I an outlier, or simply didn't cap myself with a ceiling? I mean, if you want to see the stars, why would you put a roof over your head?

Those that can't teach.

The masks that we wear not only limit growth but create various breaking points in our lives. The more masks that you wear, the more breaking points you will have. If you look around, you will see more and more people losing their cool. Having breakdowns and blowing up for unimpactful reasons. Why let someone dictate your happiness? That is your cross to bear.

Whatever you do, do it because you want to, not because you are putting on a mask to fit within today's societal constraints. Speak your truth, unapologetically. Sorry, I took a long way to make my point. I am not perfect.

Peace & Lxve

Authenticity seems like an easy enough concept to follow. But we all know that is not the reality. Throughout our days, we all put on several masks. Whether they be at work or around our friends. Whether it be to hide the truth or the lie of an opinion. We have all been there. Ironically, we live in a time where your opinion is demanded, but only if it falls in line with what is currently accepted. The "new norm."

My question is, where does that leave open talk? How does that affect individuality? And by no means am I fighting the good fight. Simply a man (sorry, not sorry if I am not politically correct) with enough experience to speak your truth.

There are countless cliches saying things like being yourself, everyone else is taken, and there's only one of you. While all good points, that's not my case. I am not pushing for you to speak your mind and have your voices heard. I say shit I shouldn't say all the time, but that's just me. Learn to read the room. All I am doing is bringing attention to the masks that we wear. And the fact that we rarely speak our truths or, better yet, live our truths.

Of course, this is a generalized statement, and if the shoe fits, wear it. But most of the time, when someone speaks their truth, it comes from a breaking point. It is never from a calm and collected perspective—almost reaction-driven than naturally expressed. Usually, when we are ourselves, it's because we were pushed to be that.

Worn out, low energy, just not that into it must mean you need to recharge your batteries and go on vacation. 1 week of bliss later, you come back to jump on the same hamster wheel that will in 1 calendar year bring you right back to the same tipping point. Do you understand what I am saying?

Why do we wear that mask?

Is it because we have no other option? Is the red pill not available? Why must we wait for a tipping point to take off the mask?

This topic came from a conversation I had with a fellow barber. He came to me and asked how can he get sponsored by a company, travel, and teach? When asked this question, the first thing out of my mouth is, why do you want to do that? The majority of the time, they respond to make more money.

So what do I say? Why not just raise your prices? This is where we don't speak our truth. Over time hearing the same excuses that follow has lead me to believe in programming. Dozens of conversations like this across dozens of states with entirely different people. How is it possible that I can anticipate the answers they shoot from the hip, verbatim? Everyone states the same limitations and reasons that they will not make more money at home vs. traveling and teaching. They are wearing a mask.

Lead to believe that this is the road to follow. Worst of all, that mask is not even theirs.

Why do we wear that mask? Why don't we speak our truth?

The neighborhood I am in won't allow me to charge more than what I am already charging? Bullshit. In New York City, not in an affluent area, while everyone else was charging $12-$15 for a haircut, I charged $25. And I was booked out more than everyone else. Was I an outlier, or simply didn't cap myself with a ceiling? I mean, if you want to see the stars, why would you put a roof over your head?

Those that can't teach.

The masks that we wear not only limit growth but create various breaking points in our lives. The more masks that you wear, the more breaking points you will have. If you look around, you will see more and more people losing their cool. Having breakdowns and blowing up for unimpactful reasons. Why let someone dictate your happiness? That is your cross to bear.

Whatever you do, do it because you want to, not because you are putting on a mask to fit within today's societal constraints. Speak your truth, unapologetically. Sorry, I took a long way to make my point. I am not perfect.

Peace & Lxve