Recently, it seems as if the world we live in revolves around tragedy after tragedy. People hate, lust, and neglect to acknowledge one another’s humanity out of fear and ignorance, which makes it difficult to build deep relationships. We have found ourselves trusting less and guarding ourselves more. Is it because we are scared of rejection? Or are we scared to show who we really are? I am coming to learn that without self-exposure we are not our true selves. I think we need to learn to be vulnerable again.

People can be really mean. They lie, and they cheat; they steal and talk about you like you’re nothing. People you love let you down. People you love die — every day.

When I mention these actions, we all have someone who comes to mind. We all have those people we ended friendships with because they crossed us or let us down. It happens — it's life.

But think about those people in your life who haven’t done any of these things. The people who aren’t temporary. They make you smile. They would do anything for you. They will always tell you the truth, even if it sucks. What about these people? Why don’t we trust them? Why don’t we let them in?

We spend so much time focusing on the negative, the bad and the anger that we make it hard for ourselves to give our time and trust to the people who deserve it. It's instinctual to protect ourselves from anything that threatens us. But we need to stop hiding behind these hard-shell and guarded facades and be who we really are so in return our friends can let down their walls too. We need to be real. We need to be open. And we need to trust that people aren’t going to hurt us, even if they might.

I’m not asking you to bear it all to the world, surprisingly not even I would do that. But take a tiny step today by answering honestly when a friend asks how you are. Maybe they’re feeling the exact same, or can even make you feel better. Smile when a stranger looks at you at the grocery store. Tell your coworker a funny story. Let someone who cares about you in.

I am a firm believer that until you take time to find authenticity in your state of being, in your words and in your actions, you aren’t living up to your true potential. It is so difficult to be surrounded by so much negativity and strive to be positive and real with people, but try it.

I understand that it can be nearly impossible to find a genuine friend in this world, and for many, they don’t have one. Be that person for someone else, and most importantly, be the person you’d want to see today. Don’t let your past relationships or friendships rule the future of your next — because what’s next is yet to come.