[peternilson]

As an exercise pitted against the anecdote you gave of A.J Jacobs trying to live an authentic life, try this: pretend to be everything you wish yourself to be. Wear those qualities with as much confidence you can muster and then go out into the world and build relationships; wear this new persona that you have created when you start you start a relationship with someone, pretend to show all the qualities you wish you possess the next time you get interviewed for a job, etc.. Then watch yourself and see how it feels to carry the burden of having to constantly pretend to be something that you only wish your self to be. Doesn't sound very enjoyable if you ask me.

[Icedcool]

The worst thing that can happen, is that it'll work.Because then you have to keep it up. Not to mention, all the friends you have, people you connect with don't like you, but like this person you think you have to be.

You create your own hell.