“Be as you wish to seem.”

Socrates

Just like an artist meticulously crafting a sculpture, we often chisel our public image, hoping to present ourselves as we yearn to be perceived. But, there’s a missing link. Imagine, instead of merely crafting an image, we lived the image.

“Be as you wish to seem,” says the mantra. Not just putting on a performance, but embedding the values and traits we admire into our very core. Seeming becomes being when authenticity replaces the facade. A self-molded not by expectations, but by earnest self-realization. That’s the journey. Not a mask, but a mirror – a reflection of our deepest, most genuine selves. Your actions should echo your intentions, your being reflecting your desired seeming.

And here’s the twist—when we truly live as we wish to seem, we find ourselves not just accepted, but respected. Not for a facade well-played, but for authenticity deeply admired. So don’t just wish. Be.

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand and Community at Virtuous Software. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Copyright ©2023 Stephen Boudreau.