Everyone has weaknesses because none of us is perfect. We were born with weaknesses because we’re fallen, and Heavenly Father knows who we are (more than we know ourselves.) “Do the right thing because someone is always watching” is a phrase I’ve heard since childhood. It’s time to draw a line in the sand. What I do is not done because of others but because of myself; I’m only responsible for me. The “someone is always watching” phrase basically says “Do it for others” and although compassion and care for people are very much in my heart I’m not responsible for them. They must do it for themselves just like I must do it for me. “Do it for others” makes me try to be perfect and hide my true self because sometimes I’m weak and could do better but don’t.

I want to be real, not seemingly perfect, and the real me could sometimes do better. (The good thing is that I’m trying to be as good as I can and with heaven’s help my weaknesses can be conquered and my character can be made stronger.) When a word in a Sacrament prayer is said wrong we don’t laugh and condemn them but know they’ll just say it again (maybe a few times) until it’s said correctly. That’s how Heavenly Father is, He doesn’t laugh or condemn us when we do something wrong but encourages us (by the still small voice) until we correct ourselves. (Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, done on our behalf, our weaknesses can be permanently made strong.)

I want to be who I really am, authentic, out in the open, have no skeletons in my closet, and not hide. I’m me and am not ashamed of who I am. It’s courageous and brave to be authentic; to put myself out there as if to say, “This is me take it or leave it. I like who I am and am not ashamed.” Being in the open is honest and true. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and Heavenly Father called after Adam, Adam said, “I hid myself because I was naked.” Adam had just eaten the fruit and was fallen. A character trait of the fallen, natural man is hiding. Heavenly Father knew he was fallen, He knew Adam’s weakness, and He gave him the chance to be honest and true and to not hide but reveal his true self.

To overcome our fallen nature we need to be willing to stand up and publicly declare, “I’m weak but this is me. Here I am, imperfections and all.”

A small change lets us all be ourselves. Let’s say, “Help them because someone is always watching.” We don’t take their responsibility on ourselves but give our help to them when they ask. All we can do is help with kind words, encouragement and good examples and know that we gave our help – we did what we could – and it’s up to them to accept our help – because everyone has agency; but no matter what is chosen we think well of them and do good to them because we have loving hearts. We don’t judge but uplift because one day they’ll do the same for us. We’re all walking the same path back to Heavenly Father; we don’t point our fingers and laugh when they fall but help them up and walk back to Him arm in arm, together, and our faces shine with goodness.