Always be your true self, and surround yourself with positive

Hear the radiant words of Amanda Lepore, spoken from a life of transformation and courage: “Always be your true self, and surround yourself with positive and supportive people.” These words are not mere counsel for comfort, but a commandment for the soul, a shield against the forces of conformity, cruelty, and despair. For to be one’s true self is the greatest act of defiance in a world that often demands masks, and to walk among positive companions is the surest safeguard against the loneliness that threatens to break the spirit.

To be your true self is to live without fear of the gaze of others, to cast away the disguises forged by shame or expectation, and to shine with the light of authenticity. Yet this path is not easy. The world, through its voices of doubt and judgment, urges us to conform, to shrink, to betray the uniqueness placed within us. Lepore’s words come from her own journey, a life lived boldly and unapologetically, proving that wholeness is not found in pleasing others, but in embracing one’s own truth.

The ancients knew this sacred demand. In the teachings of the Oracle at Delphi, the command was inscribed: “Know thyself.” But to know was only the first step; the greater challenge was to be thyself in the face of opposition. The Stoics, too, taught that the individual must live according to their true nature, in harmony with reason and virtue, not swayed by the noise of the crowd. Amanda Lepore’s exhortation echoes this eternal wisdom: authenticity is the path of freedom, and it is guarded by the companions we choose.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider the life of Galileo Galilei, who gazed at the heavens and saw what others refused to see. He was condemned for speaking truth against dogma, yet he could not betray his true self. Though punished and silenced, his authenticity ignited the age of science, shaping the destiny of humanity. Yet even he relied on supportive allies—patrons, students, and friends—who gave him the strength to endure. His life reveals that truth of self and the strength of community are bound together.

Lepore’s wisdom teaches that to walk this path alone is perilous. Even the bravest soul falters without the presence of positive and supportive companions. For negativity corrodes, draining courage and sowing self-doubt, but support uplifts, reminding us of our worth when our own vision grows dim. Surrounding oneself with such people is like planting oneself in fertile soil, where growth is inevitable and flourishing is certain.

The lesson for us is clear: authenticity and community are the twin pillars of a meaningful life. To deny your true self is to wither, no matter how outwardly successful you appear. To walk with the wrong companions is to poison your spirit, no matter how strong your resolve. But to embrace your truth and to walk among those who encourage it is to live as you were meant to live—radiant, unbroken, and free.

Practical steps flow from this wisdom. Look within and ask: Am I living in alignment with my true self, or am I hiding behind the masks others expect of me? Begin to peel back those masks, even in small ways, until authenticity becomes your daily habit. Then look outward: who surrounds you? Do they lift you, or do they drag you into despair? Choose deliberately to walk with those who are positive and supportive, and be such a person for others. In this way, you create not only your own freedom, but a sanctuary for all who walk beside you.

So remember Amanda Lepore’s counsel: “Always be your true self, and surround yourself with positive and supportive people.” Take it as a law for life, a command carved not in stone but in the human heart. For authenticity is your crown, and community your shield. Live this way, and you will not merely survive—you will flourish, leaving behind a legacy of courage, truth, and light for generations yet unborn.