THE POWER OF AUTHENTICITY: EMBARRASSING PEOPLE THE WAY THEY ARE.
In a world increasingly driven by expectations and societal norms, the idea of dealing with people as they are, rather than how we expect them to be, holds transformative potential. While it’s easy to imagine a world where everyone adheres to a shared ideal, the reality is far more complex. To achieve lasting peace, we must shift our focus from how people should be to understanding and embracing how they are. By doing so, we can cultivate genuine empathy, foster meaningful connections, and navigate our differences in ways that strengthen rather than divide us. My view point begins with practical steps to engage with others on their own terms, and here’s how we can start. The burden of expectations. From a young age, we are conditioned to conform to certain standards and expectations. These can range from career choices and personal behavior to physical appearance and social interactions. While some expectations are necessary for societal functioning, many are arbitrary and can stifle