Authenticity is a choice we make each day—a conscious decision to show up, be real, and be honest with ourselves and others. Brené Brown says it best: “Authenticity is a collection of choices we must make daily.” Yet, despite my commitment to living authentically, I have a plastic smile I can pull out of my pocket at a moment’s notice, a mask I slap on when I can’t face the question, “How are you?” Sometimes, it shows maturity or self-control, a way to keep interactions light and simple. And I think that’s okay; I don’t believe I owe every stranger my whole life story.
However, that mask can quickly become more than just a temporary barrier. If I’m not careful, it turns into a habit, a camouflage I hide behind to avoid opening up, creating the false impression that life is smooth sailing when, in reality, it isn’t. Hiding behind that smile builds walls, not bridges, between myself and others. If those around me think I have it all together all the time, they’re far less likely to feel safe admitting when they don’t. And truthfully, none of us have it all together. Each of us carries a place of pain, a wound that still needs healing. We all bear scars.
Losing my child has taught me many things, and one of the biggest lessons has been recognizing my own need for others. I’ve learned I’m not self-sufficient; I can’t bear my burdens alone. 
When I let down my guard, I allow others to do the same. Being real opens up space for true healing and honest conversation. It unlocks the doors to shared understanding. After all, Jesus came to live as one of us, experiencing our trials, joys, and heartaches firsthand. He came to know us deeply and to make the Father known. And He left us with the task of showing God’s love to the world around us.
If I genuinely want to touch the painful places in others’ lives, I have to let them see my painful areas. Dropping the mask is my way of letting others see who I am, inviting them to join me in my struggles and joys. We can carry each other’s burdens together, just as Christ taught us to do. Galatians 6:2 reminds us: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” In choosing authenticity, we offer each other the gift of support, healing, and genuine connection.
