You can't truly capture the moon

Things in space are so far away, but I think some of them are a lot closer and similar to us than we ever imagine.

Like the moon.

I was running one morning recently and noticed how beautiful the moon looked. At first I wished I had a camera with me to snap a picture of it, but then I remembered all of the times I had tried that before and how unappealing those images had turned out.

There have been many instances when I have attempted to take a quality picture of the moon and completely failed. I’m convinced it’s not really possible—especially with just an iPhone. I read an article that credited the reason for the moon not being so photogenic to the fact that the moon doesn’t shine on its own and is instead illuminated by the sun, which is a lot more powerful. This results in a tremendous glare, and your picture of the moon looks like a floating blob rather than the beautiful depiction you see in real life with your eyes.

I think the moon is a lot like people in the way it’s portrayed in pictures: what you see isn’t an accurate representation of the truth. A lot of this has to do with social media. It’s so easy to cover up who you really are and let people believe you are someone different.

Looked better in person

But why?

Why is it so tempting to be people we’re not? We can post pictures of us when we look our bests, and we can convey these positive images of ourselves, but why are we so ashamed to hide the truth? Rather than posting anything at all, wouldn’t it be better to be your true self in the real world? I mean, the moon has proven it’s a better sight, anyway.

It can be a real challenge to be authentic all of the time. Because it’s scary. Being completely transparent is a bold thing to do—people will know who you really are. You won’t simply be a portrait of what you want to be or how you want others to see you. You will genuinely be you.

And I honestly believe there is nothing wrong with that.

When I was in middle school (quite possibly the worst stage of life one must endure), I tried so hard to fit in and be like everyone else. I only wanted to wear certain brands of clothing and thought I was only supposed to hang out with certain groups of people. I was even afraid of saying certain things or not saying certain things—I mean, if I wasn’t using the “cool” lingo, then it meant I wasn’t “cool.”

Looking back, I really don’t like the person I was then. I wasn’t even content with being in my own skin all of the time. Thankfully, somewhere along the way I learned how to be me—and I’m perfectly comfortable being the flawed individual I am. I don’t want to try to cover up who I am and try to fit in with others. I know it can seem a bit easier to feel this way once you leave those adolescent days when you’re constantly surrounded by peers and the pressures of growing up, but even adulthood brings with it struggles and influences of its own.

Think about how many times you’ve heard the answer, “Fine, thanks. How are you?” when you ask someone how he or she is doing. But, is that person really doing that well? Or is that individual hesitant to share the truth that life is actually really rough right now, and every day is a battle? I’m guilty of this at times. I’ve always had trouble showing my emotions—I can barely even cry in front of myself—and don’t always want to let people know when I’m going through a difficult time. But why? The people who truly care about me are going to love me regardless of my faults and help me through whatever I’m facing in life. And the people who don’t really care? Why should I care one inkling what they think?

You were made to be you at all times, and it makes no sense to try to be someone else, whether it’s online or in person. The moon’s radiance can’t be captured as well in a picture as it can be seen with real eyes. Your radiance just isn’t the same when it’s seen through rose-colored lenses and not authentic eyes.

It’s good to be like the moon—people would rather see the real you than a blurry version, anyway.