The Importance Of True Transparency

July 23, 2011 24 Comments

Why are so many people afraid of social media?

I think, most of the time, we are scared to be transparently ourselves.  We fear rejection, and with good reason, because we have been hurt before and will be wounded many times in our future.

A certain bravery is required to step out and show who we are to the world; to care about others, and risk that they may care about us, even if we were strangers before we met on social media.

I have looked past my fears of surrendering my anonymity to Facebook, Twitter, and my daily blog posts.  The rewards for sharing who I am, as honestly as I can, are so rich and diverse, that they cannot begin to compare to the anxiety and insecurity which once ruled my life and my decisions.

Once you have tasted the freedom which lives inside of being who you really are, there is no other viable option.

 

The above was a Seven Sentence Guest Post from writer Julianne Harvey. Julianne has her face-book writing page  and can be  followed on twitter (here).

Click here if you are interested in writing a  Creative Guest Blog for Seven Sentences.

Copyright 2011 – Seven Sentences – True Transparency
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About GeoffTalbot: Geoff Talbot is an an actor/screenwriter and comedian who loves the creative process and believes that when everyone gets together great and good things can happen.

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  • Belinda (writerunblocked)

    Julianne, You just wrote about me also.  I have been writing since I was a child, but when the opportunity for blogging was introduced to me, I refused.   Being a novice writer, you would think I would jump at the chance to share my work. The funny thing is that I encouraged others to create blogs.  

    Geoff contacted me through Twitter via a mutual Twitter friend.  He encouraged me to start a blog.  I will be completely honest, I was terrified.  I did not think I wanted to hear the rights and wrongs of my writings, but since I started blogging, my life  has opened up and changed.  I am getting more comfortable in my writing skin.  

    Thank you so much for this post.  It speaks deeply to me. 

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      And your writing is getting better and better friend. So proud of you!

      • Belinda (writerunblocked)

        Thank you, Geoff

  • http://www.SammyA.com Sammy Adebiyi

    Just heard someone say yesterday that people will follow a leader who had made mistakes, admitted it and is trying to work through it. But people won’t follow a leader who has been constantly trying to cover their tracks and mistakes (hide). That was a great reminder to keep being myself. Thanks Julianne.   

  • j.harvey

    Hi Sammy – I love the quote you heard yesterday about leaders and agree wholeheartedly with it.  I spent too many years hiding who I really was from people and acting in a way which I thought was suitable for others.  The path to authenticity for me has been deeply challenging, but more rewarding than anything else.  My blog charts this growth and I’m learning to open up more in social media as well.  Thanks for your comment!

  • j.harvey

    You and I sound similar, Belinda.  Blogging daily was about building my confidence, and as that grew, wonderful writing opportunities came my way, and I began to worry less about people thought of my musings and focus more on who I really am.  I now want to be myself all of the time, without bowing to any pressure to pretend in order to be liked.  Congrats on starting your blog and getting more comfortable in your communication style!

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      Hi Julianne… Love the way you are responding to comments… awesome. By the way if you like you can hit the reply button underneath each comment… that way your response will be a direct reply

  • http://peterpaluska.com Peter Paluska

    Wow, one of your finest posts that I have read, Geoff! The truth of what you say is virtually irrefutable. Though we may not know anything about your private, personal matters, we do know who you are through the way that you arrange your words and sentences – and I noticed you always post seven. Oh right, that was deliberate!

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      Wow you are complement the wrong writer. This is a guest post and ALL THE CREDIT goes to the very talented Julianne Harvey. It is a brilliant blog post and she deserves the compliment. Thanks Peter, really love having you as part of our community. G

      • http://www.thedreamtowrite.blogspot.com JulianneHarvey

        Thank

      • http://peterpaluska.com Peter Paluska

        Oh I see. Pardon me, yes, my compliments to Julianne. And you, Geoff, for recognizing her excellence to the point of featuring a guest post by her!
        One point I might challenge though: I don’t think there are ENOUGH people who are afraid of social media! ;)

  • http://www.lifeismaking.com Peter Crowell

    Amazing how much of a challenge it can be to simply be yourself. But it really is the key to everything, isn’t it? As a writer it’s crucial to discover your voice, but it can be really hard to trust it. No matter how much I love a particular blog post, there’s always a moment of “okay, here goes!” before I hit that publish button. 

    • http://www.thedreamtowrite.blogspot.com Julianne Harvey

      Thanks for your comment, Peter!  I can relate to that deep breath before publishing, and it never fails to surprise me how the posts I feel are brilliant can be largely ignored, and the ones I rush through or feel ambivalence for end up striking a chord and resonating with readers.  It just goes to show how intriguing and beautiful the process of surrendering creativity to serendipity can be!

  • http://thisdreamersjourney-lynne.blogspot.com/ Lynne Holder

    After having had my share of naysayers that I enjoyed proving wrong (grin), I decided to blog without the worry of what people would say if I wrote with honesty and transparency. Take it or leave it–I realize I’m not for everyone. That said, I have had one or two of those moments when I wondered if I really wanted to share what I had written, but if it resonates with one person, it’s worth it.

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      Good call Lynne. I find that I can learn a lot from what doesn’t connect with people too. One of my goals for blogging is to learn more about my readers and others in this community.

      • http://thisdreamersjourney-lynne.blogspot.com/ Lynne Holder

        Reading the work of others in the community teaches me a lot–ways I can grow, directions I don’t want to take, and sometimes even reinforces the path I’m currently traveling. Blogging has provided all of these opportunities.

        • http://www.thedreamtowrite.blogspot.com Julianne Harvey

          Thanks for your comments, Lynne!  Learning to be honest and not worry if some people disagreed with me was a powerful process.  I had carefully walked the middle line for most of my life, and only discovered in my mid-thirties what my own opinions really were and then developed the confidence to express them without fear.  You are right that it’s worth it to connect with just one person!

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  • http://americancriminal.net Zack Clinard

    Well said! Too often we fear growth because of the pain we must endure. But ask most any mother, and she will tell you the pain of childbirth was well worth it!

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      Pain is horribly humbling huh?

    • http://www.julianneharvey.com/ Julianne Harvey

      Well, I’ve had 2 children and (for the most part) the pain was worth it. ;)  Growth always hurts and stretches, and then when the hard part is behind us, we wouldn’t consider going back to how we used to hide.  Transparency offers freedom where disguises are like a prison cell, keeping us locked up and afraid of the expectations of other people.

  • Prophetbrahmarishi

    Truly transparent and inspiring. Fear of Stage on social platforms, I need to overcome. Thank You my Friend!

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      No thank you… Your honesty is always respected

    • http://www.thedreamtowrite.blogspot.com Julianne Harvey

      I’m so glad to hear you felt inspired by the post!  Social media is an interesting phenomenon and we must adapt and change with it, but try to be as much of ourselves as possible.  No easy task, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  :)