Don’t fake with people, Henry.
Tell people what you really think, so that they know what they are getting into when you interact with them. They’ll do the same to you if you make that the expectation.
Don’t say “maybe” when you mean no. No is good, and should be used more liberally. Maybe is like half-cooked oatmeal- gummy, and sticky, and no one likes to eat it. Cook your oats or have an apple, but pick a lane.
Don’t say you like something, or you know about it, if you don’t. It’s ungenuine. Impressing people is less important than integrity, and you don’t have to know everything to be useful.
A smile isn’t important unless you’re happy, and even then it’s optional. Don’t smile unless you mean to.
You can’t control what they think of you, only what you do. Do according to what you value (honor, courage, creative expression).
Try new things, because otherwise you’re dying. Don’t forget to live, but never fake it.
-H