**Being real.** It's something so simple, and yet, so very important. There are two choices most crucial to being real: choosing *real over pretty* and *honesty over hiding.* Choosing to hide parts of ourselves by not being real is actually the choice to manage and control our lives instead of trusting God to do so. Being real is a gift we give to ourselves and to others. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).