Straight folks I’m talking to you too! Today is a day to recognize, and for many, share a personal and very true to themselves fact with the rest of the world: they have a secret that nobody knows.

It really doesn’t seem fair that at any point in life you should have to make a point to stand up in front of your peers, your loved ones and even total strangers and declare, “Hey everyone, I have a secret. I am different.  I am not like you.” But that is the reality of the journey of a gay person.

But I am here to tell you that it is not just the journey of the gays.  We are all in the closet about something.  Maybe it is your sexuality. But maybe it is your religion or your political beliefs.  Perhaps you grew up in a poor part of town that you do not want to let your friends know as part of your history.  Were you abused, addicted or homeless for a time? Could it be the fact that you do not find certain jokes funny or appropriate at work? Heck, maybe you just don’t have the courage to tell your friends you love black licorice when you know they all hate it!

Whatever you are in the closet about, today is a chance to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and ask the world for acceptance. You will come face to face with the reality that you may not be accepted for who you are deep down inside.  Peel back the layers of protection and be exposed with no shield to the world.

Scared?

I know I was!

Fear not!

As you step out of your comfort zone, you will also be stepping into the shoes of others who have gone before you.  Others who can guide you and support you. Others, who you will now have a new understanding and respect for. Sure, you may find that you have a bit less in common with a few people around you. But that will pale in comparison to the new and authentic connections you will make with other black licorice lovers.

Just imagine being able to shop in peace, knowing that you have nothing to hide.  You no longer have to sneak down the candy aisle at midnight to find that licorice and then hide it under the Cheerios in your cart, before you sneak through the self check-out lane unnoticed.

No, you can now shop in broad daylight, and not have to worry if you run into Sally in produce scanning your cart.  Because the world now knows your secret.  Hey, you might even open the bag and have a bite right there in public!

As for myself, I lived in the closet for forty years.  Coming out was my biggest fear.  Walking through the world knowing that any wrong move could show my secret was a weight I carried without fully understanding just how heavy it was.

Not until it was released.

With that weight gone, I can breathe easier.  I can shop in the daylight.  I can give my entire self to the world without hesitation.

I actually used to feel that it would be selfish to come out.  That was before I understood that by not sharing our true selves with others, we are actually holding back on them.  We are denying them the love and support they deserve from us.  We are denying them the chance to know and love the real you.

Being your true self is the best thing you can do for others period!

There are straight people in the closet as I write this.  There are gay people in the closet too. Yes, even the openly gay folks may still be in the closet about some other aspect of their lives.

So what are you in the closet about?

Declare something to the world that you might not feel so comfortable letting them know and learn just how empowering living with your authentic self may be!

Do it, I dare you!

I can tell you from experience that coming out was my biggest fear and after you face that, there will be absolutely nothing that can hold you back!

Thank you so much for opening up on this journey with me. I really appreciate the feedback from everyone with comments and likes so that I know if this was a meaningful post for you.  And please feel free to share with your friends, challenge them to come out with you.

Andy Vargo is a motivational speaker, life coach and comedian who challenges you to ‘Own Your Awkward’. He is the author of the Awkward Journal series, host of the podcast, Own Your Awkward, and shares thoughts and ideas in his blog and video series available at awkwardcareer.com.