~ It’s a challenging thing to reconcile; “being yourself” while grieving the parts of ourselves that are lost to circumstance(s). … Because what is the “self”? And does it matter, in the end, if being that isn’t enough to put food on the table or protect and provide for loved ones? We hear this kind of rhetoric, often. The intention is great. However, the reality is that being yourself comes w/sacrifice; it’s not always productive. Particularly, if you’re a leader … “They” want perfection.