Am I the only one who finds themselves apologizing for who they are? I’m sorry I’m ____. I’m working on it. I know I’m too ____. But I’m getting better.
For the last few weeks I have found myself apologizing for being me. Confession: I am serious, a daydreamer, dramatic, stubborn, opinionated, passionate, and sensitive.
Where did I get the idea these things needed to be changed? Why am I attempting the alter the original copy of myself?
Because I’ve believed that the world needs me to turn into someone else. Someone much more relaxed, funny, charismatic, entertaining, popular, easy-going, organized, easily persuaded, and focused. People have told me I need to turn into this kind of person. And I believed them.
Every time I tell myself to stop being so ____, I am altering the original copy. When we were all kids, we would be what we wanted to be. We would wear what we thought was unique. We would let our inner self out. That crazy kid who built forts and went to school with a costume on was the original copy.
Here’s the crazy thing to consider. Here’s the reason why you need to stop altering.
The world needs you to stay original because you have a specific personality that blesses it, one that no one else can ever duplicate.
You were made with a specific personality because the world needs that.
It needs my determination because no one who ever did incredible things lacked determination. It drives people to do extraordinary and daring things. The world needs my seriousness and dramatic attitude because I’m able to express deep ideas. It needs my messiness because too many things are neat and tidy. It needs my day dreaming because that’s how visions get started. It needs my stubborn opinions because values are bigger than life. It needs my sensitive passion because I’m able to empathize with those who are struggling.
It needs your personality too. Maybe you’re super funny and relaxed. The world needs that emotional release. Maybe you’re light and optimistic. The world needs that hope. Maybe you’re dark and depressed. The world needs that compassion you can bring to others.
Do you know that every time you recall a memory it changes? You remember a memory very vividly the first time, and every time you think about it, it fades.
Don’t let yourself fade because you need to stay as much “you” as possible. We already live in a world that is determined to morph us into it’s idea of an acceptable person. Don’t help it along.
Stop apologizing. And start appreciating.
