subject: Why Can You Just Be....Yourself? [print this page] Why can't you just be yourself? Wouldn't that make you happy, fulfilled, and satisfied? You're not sure. Why? Could it be you don't really know who you are? Or, if you do, you're not sure that it's okay to be you.
I believe each of us is born with "uniqueness". Each of us is an original. Not to be duplicatedonly imitated.
Unfortunately, as children we are not taught or encouraged to spend the time and effort needed to discover that uniqueness. We don't ask ourselves: What are the gifts, talents and abilities that I have. What is my personality? What are my likes and dislikes? What are the things I question/accept? What things do I love/hate? Is it okay that I prefer freedom and tranquility over money and prestige?
We spend a lifetime trying to live up to the expectations of others. Expectations others put on us and those that we adopt, or adapt to put on ourselves? We spend a lot of time and energy trying to find that ideal person to emulate or rather to duplicate.
However, once we discover who we are and learn to love who we are uniquely born to be, we are then free to accept others for who they are without judgment and criticism. We remove ourselves from being the evaluator or assessor of another's value or worth to him/herself, his/her family and friends, society and the world.
So ask yourselfwho am I? What makes me "me" different from every other person on the planet, past present and future? And, am I okay with that?
Answering those questions may not come quickly or easily but those who begin find the answers can embark on a journey that will provide "their world" with a unique gift capable of making a world of difference in at least one lifetheir own.
