I had a discussion the other night about a famous poem titled, "Please Hear What I Am Not Saying", by Charles C. Finn.  The poem famously describes anyone who feels that what people see is not who they really are.  I also remember reading this in one of my English literature classes in college and the class had a lively discussion afterwards, as a lot of people identified with the poem had to say.  I believe the reason there are plenty of individuals that can identify with this particular piece of literature, is that anyone can understand the feeling of wanting to demonstrate to  the world that the person that they see on the outside, may not be necessarily who they are on the inside.  This can become a battle of internal will, when we think that we have let go of some particular attributes that are no longer part of us.  Others can remind us at times that they may still think of us as that individual that they knew from the past.  Another example that comes to mind is when people graduate from high school, for those that had a great experience and their adolescence was full of positive experiences, they can relish in reliving those great formative years.  However, a good majority of people may not have had that type of experience and when they get an opportunity to go back to see their high school peers at a reunion, they also are allowed to show those individuals who they really were behind the mask that they may have worn in their youth.  The point being that people may not necessarily feel comfortable in sharing who they really are with the world, especially after many years of portraying themselves in a particular way.  Time is more precious than we think and that is why it is important for all of us to be as genuine as possible.  Letting go of things than are not part of your true essence and embracing the individual that you feel you are inside, is really what the world wants to see.  Provide yourself with the opportunity to feel comfortable in your own skin and don't worry about what others will think, those that really matter will always support you regardless.