"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss

Perhaps if I had read more Dr. Seuss in my childhood, I could have saved myself a lot of time, effort, and heartache. It has taken me 40 years to figure out that being authentic is the best thing I can do for my health and wellness. I find that it takes work and causes me stress when I am not being true to myself.

Living true to yourself means following your own path despite what others are doing. It means not trying to be someone you are not in order to please others. It is easy to get caught up in what you think you should do, what society expects from you, or what your friends want you to do. This can take many forms—including how you eat, exercise, make your living, and spend your free time.

Think about what it feels like when someone loves you for exactly who you are, quirks and all. There is no condition on whom you have to be in order for this person to love you. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you are not. This is unconditional love and it feels great. Try to give this feeling back to the friends and family in your life. Love them, not just for who they are, but because of who they are.

You know what is right for you. You just need to be open enough to hear it and courageous enough to listen. Embrace the fact that you are unique. No one is exactly like you which means that what is authentic for you may not be what is right for someone else. And, what is right for someone else may not be right for you.

My friend Rachelle gave me a birthday card this year that said, "Be you. Nobody does it better." That’s right. No one does it better.

Do you feel free to be you? If not, how can you make it possible to feel that freedom?