“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I posted that quote by the great Theodor Seuss Geisel or who most of us know him as "Dr. Suess," as my facebook status a few days ago. I know that the quote is somewhat popular, and some have heard it thousands of times. When I am searching for great quotes, it is almost always on the list. Recently I have searching fro great quotes to live by or great sayings to live by. Most of them are from the scriptures (who wouldn't want to live by the good word of God?).  Some are from famous athletes and coaches (Vince Lombardi is the man), and some are from famous authors, past and present. When I ran across this quote for the first time I liked it for a few different reasons. The first time I read it, I had to read it again to fully understand it. It made me think. A good quote should always make you think. Another reason is because it moved me to do something I don't normally do. I'm not necessarily the type of guy to just come out and say things. I'm a little more reserved, but this quote has showed me otherwise.
I remember my sister telling me just before I went on my mission that the only advice that she would give to me was "Just be you." I have never forgotten those words. "Be who you are." I have seen through observing others, that the people who are not who they really are, eventually fail. Somehow it always catches up to them. In one way or another, it comes back to bite them. Sometimes I catch myself almost stooping down to that level but I never can let myself do it and will never let myself do that. Who really wants to be a failure anyways?
Saying what I feel is kind of a new thing for me. I have never really been one to tell someone how I feel without them asking me first. That has kind of changed in the past little bit. Mainly for this quote. Really if you think about it, if you tell someone something and they really matter to you, and you matter to them, they won't mind. If you tell someone how you feel and they mind, and it really effects them, or they are offended easily, you probably shouldn't be around them anyways. With that said, you might lose some acquaintances, and there is always moderation. There are some things that can be gone without said. If I see a guy on the street and I don't like his haircut, I am not going to go up to him and say "hey buddy you have an ugly haircut!" Yesterday I was in a class and a  student wanted to comment about everything the professor was saying, and as much I wanted to tell her "hey! let the man talk!" I didn't because that wouldn't be right. If it bothers you, and they are your friend, say it.
I would rather live in honesty and know, than not know and never know and wonder for a long time. Honesty for the most part makes life easier. Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes the truth hurts really bad, but sometimes, the truth is all we need to know, and the only way to truly know, is to say how you feel. Sometimes the truth can throw you a curve ball, but at least you know. Sometimes it can bean you right in between the eyes, but at least you know.
Be who YOU are and say what YOU feel because those who mind DON'T MATTER and those who matter DON'T MIND.
Ya'll come back now ya hear?!
COLEY