Can You See The Real Me?

I have gotten many nice compliments regarding my blogs. I, of course, appreciate all of the kind words. It means a lot to me that people leave their busy lives for a few moments to take a trip through my thoughts. But, I have noticed with the nice words comes a most interesting statement: '' You are a different person when you write these blogs, Jim.'' I take it to mean that people are seeing an alternate side to my personality. Now, I have been down this road before many times. Whenever I start dating a woman and we get to know each other, at some point the woman will say ''You are much different than I thought''. I ask them how so, and the reply goes along something like this, ''I thought you were wilder. I thought you were a joke a minute. I thought you went at a much different speed, but, you are quiet, shy, and enjoy taking life at a slow pace.''.. This is very true... Now, tying that into people's perception of me and my blogs, I guess you can connect two thoughts. 1: Never take a person at face value. 2: Never assume to know a person completely just by interacting with them.... The front I put up for most of the public is a carefree, funny guy. I suppose there is some of that in my personality. But, I have always put up this front to protect the real me. And, the real me, as family and close friends know, is a  more sensitive, caring person. You may snicker at that statement, but, then you are projecting ''Public Jim'' not ''Private Jimmy''-- a name people close to me call me. That is fine with me. That is the persona I chose to be in the world. I am not trying to fool people, but, I do smile internally when I am described as carefree and not serious... I am always amazed that there are people in this world who instantly open up about ALL aspects of their lives upon meeting me. You have met them too. Suddenly, you are their best friend, and, you know their entire history without the slightest provocation on your part. How do people open up so quickly?? The answer, of course, comes from the loneliness these people feel. They have no one else. I have great sympathy for these people, that is why I listen to them.... I am lucky. I have those around me that care and see the real me. There is no better support group to have than people who want nothing but the best for you... I wish everybody had that. Sadly, many people don't... The key is to find quality, not quantity in the people who care for you. I know people who have many friends to go out socially with and fuck around with. That is fine. Everybody likes that. However, when it comes to having someone there is times of trouble or emotional upheaval, those ''friends'' disappear... I tend to ramble, I know. I have gone a little astray from the beginning thought of people knowing the real me. I will end with this synopsis: the real me is like you. Fun and depressed. Active and lazy. Smart and naive. A talker and a listener. Selfish and unselfish. In short, very human. I do not believe it is wrong to go with a cover personality for the world. Self preservation is a must. Just let the special people close to your heart in-- you will know them right away.... By the way, I wrote this blog completely naked!!!!