Lewis LIKES it.

I wish every human life be pure transparent freedom.

Simone de Beauvoir

I’m an innately private individual. I also know the heavy personal weight of a secret. How it holds you down and blocks the powerful depths of your true self from seeing daylight. So my personal resolution for 2010 is for a more transparent life. It’s also my wish for the world.

Almost half my life ago, I told my mother my biggest secret – that I’m gay. For my first 23 years, I had carried a dark, seemingly immovable rock of shame inside myself. Yet, with one brief moment of transparency, it dissolved. I felt light and unencumbered, and the now fine particles of my former secret slid effortlessly from my being. Almost instantly though, habit reconnected me to fear of judgement. I looked at my mother and nervously asked, “So…what are you thinking?” She gave me a look of unconditional love. “I’m thinking that I finally know my son.”

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We all wear masks to cover parts of ourself we feel uncomfortable with. It’s just that in LA, the masks are harder to spot, and very difficult to remove when you do. So the search for genuine souls is a more difficult one here, but ultimately so much more rewarding. A few years ago, I worried I would never meet enough good people to constitute a solid circle of friends. I complained about this to my best friend back in Australia. “Lew, there are millions of people living in LA.” she said. “You’re down to earth, open and honest. And you live in LA. If you live there, then other genuine people with your values live there too. Just be yourself, be patient and let some kindred spirits find you.”

She was right. It took a while, but we found each other. And continue to find each other. I’ve noticed that lasting friendships only ever arrive when I’m being authentic, when my masks are down. Like attracts like.

Being transparent doesn’t require a nakedly confessional level of personal exposition. And this blog isn’t about that anyway. For me, some things are best left for a trusted friend, a therapist’s office or a diary entry. I created Lewis Likes It with the sole intention of sharing things I love with as many people as possible. At the same time, it’s also become an exercise in personal transparency. I find myself wanting to share memories, experiences, wishes and desires I’ve until now largely kept to myself. In doing so, I’m finding I connect with others (from within and without my life) through shared experiences. It’s as simple as that. Set the intention for your life, and let your actions create a tone that honestly reflects who you really are. And it all flows from there.

This year, I want to see real change. I want to see every political hypocrisy, social misdeed and act of corporate corruption exposed, leaving a cleaner slate and a more even playing field for humanity to build upon. And I want the builders of our new foundations to be people with noble intentions and a generous spirit. In 2010, let it be selfless acts rather than selfish spectacle that is celebrated in the world. That’d be a good start.

Why not open the doors and windows of your life and let in some air and light? Share something weighing you down with someone you trust. Start a blog. Blow the whistle on someone or something that isn’t serving you, or us all, well. Or simply sit honestly with yourself and set the intention for your year. Or your day. Or this moment. Because it all starts today.