WHITE PANTS. Most of us own a pair. They’re somewhere in our closet – preserved and protected, perhaps dreaded. Many of us may wear them, yet with a certain amount of hesitation. Some of us may just think about wearing them, imagining the perfect day or occasion to prance around in our pristine white sexy-pants. A day when we’ll be fit enough, a day that’s sunny enough, a day when it’s appropriate enough – apparently between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Well folks, I’ve got an urgent message for you - White pants don’t wait. White pants do not like to hang lonely in a dark closet. White pants are meant to be showcased. They are intended to make you shine. They are designed to get you noticed and make everyone around you wish they had the courage to wear their own.

We like to think that we have all the time in the world, or that at least time will wait for us to be ready. Ready to say, “Hey world, look at me! Have you noticed me yet?” We figure, we’ll get our chance…eventually. Heck, there are so many other awesome people doing so many other awesome things anyway. We tell ourselves, “I shouldn’t make this about ME. My white pants can wait.” The truth is, they shouldn’t have to.

I’ve come to realize that white pants hold quite a bit of power - as a symbol of youth, confidence, freshness, brightness, boldness. Yet we seem to lock these states of being up in a box for a special occasion. We’re so protective of them. “Oh I don’t want my white pants to get dirty or stretched out. What if I use up all of my specialness all in one day?” Who do we think we’re kidding? What are we actually waiting for?  

The reality is we have nothing to be afraid of about standing out. We don’t have to wait for permission or validation or an invitation. It’s up to each of us to proudly display our uniqueness, our talents, and our value. It seems we become programmed on presenting ourselves according to presumed expectations. We have our “work self”, our “I’m on an interview self”, or “I’m on a date self”. And then we dress accordingly. And this certainly makes sense for obvious reasons, but do we do ourselves a disservice if we aren’t showing our true colors?

Our white pants send a message. They say – “I don’t care if you really see me. And you should -Because I’m pretty great.” They may make us feel exposed, but that’s exactly the point. I believe that not only should we express ourselves, but we should also expose ourselves (not literally of course – that might get us into trouble). We should allow ourselves to be known – one of our most fundamental and innate needs as human beings.

Perhaps for you it isn’t about white pants. For Beyonce, it’s often no pants. For Lady Gaga its meat or red dishwashing gloves. The point is, there shouldn’t be limits for the rest of us either.

I beg you…Wear the white pants…Right now. Reveal yourself. Let people see you. Don’t follow rules that don’t really exist. And in the words of a random Madonna song (who had the nerve to put on a white wedding dress and sing Like a Virgin) – “Do what you want. Say what you feel. You know exactly who you are. The timing is now. Stand in the back or be a star.”