When it comes to being "ourselves" we must keep in mind that "who we are" is always evolving as we grow, learn, mature, and develop. This process doesn't stop until we hit the dirt. Of course their are a few things, qualities, traits, values, that remain constant even over time and the essence of our being I think will always be the same.
Have you ever said or heard someone else say, "well that's just me, that's just the way I am, deal with it!" I can't stand when people say that, don't use WHO you are as an excuse to be the WAY you are! Being who you are does not automatically excuse your actions, attitudes, or behaviors, and just because that's the way that you currently are does not mean you can't improve or work on certain areas! Changing your attitudes and sometimes behaviors doesn't mean you are changing who you are or that you are not being "yourself" just because you improve or work on something, we get so afraid of "not being ourselves" that we sometimes limit our own opportunities for growth, we get stuck in the comforts of our personalities, set in our ways....be it right or wrong, its "ours".
Now, I'm not saying try to be something or someone you are not, not at all, I'm not saying don't be yourself, I'm just saying don't limit yourself to what you are or only what you can see right now, because who you are today has a lot of growing to do before we become who we will be
tomorrow! (Smile)
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4 comments:
I have been away and my IPhone isn't allowing me to log onto blogger.com, so that's my excuse lol.
Yes, we have to always be ouselves I believe because that's really the only person anyone can be. Right?
I had hoped for a reply to this particular comment.
My bad Don...LOL, I over looked the "Right?" at the end of your comment. I thought it was rhetorical.
Well of course that is the only person we could ever TRULY be (ourselves), although some may spend/waste a lot of time 'mimicking' others.
But like I said we kind of limit ourselves or get set in our ways sometimes and use that "i'm just being myself, or this is just me, this is just how i am" attitude to excuse the things we say and do a lot of the time; the fact of the matter is that WE CAN DO BETTER! There are things about who we are, that are inherent and innate, but there is even more that seems to be learned/habitual behavior and as we mature...choice.
An example, I used to have an out of this world SMART MOUTH...and my smart mouth was not a respecter of persons....anyone could get it, from grandma on down....(I've never been a cusser, it doesn't suit me and is not ladylike but I didn't even need to b/c my words cut like a knife). When people used to confront me about it, or try to correct me, I was famous for saying, "well thats just me, either love me or leave me alone, if you don't like it, don't deal with me, period."
Fast forward to present times....Now, don't get me wrong....This tendency is still very much alive and kicking, but as I have grown I realized that that was not cute, it was not nice, it misrepresented who I am and what I am all about, it was unnecessary, and down right mean. So I have toned it down A LOT! Instead of this aspect of my personality running wild and reeking havoc on the innocent, I now put the reigns on it so to speak, I don't let negative aspects of my personality or "who i am" control me....I control them. It is hard because like I said so much of what we do is habit, we are used to it. Even now, I am still in the process of mastering it, I try to remain aware of what I'm doing or saying, try to think more carefully before I speak, try to use a little more compassion and patience, and each time I open my mouth, I make the choice, am I gonna say something sideways, or am I gonna push past this and say something which is more appropriate? And let me tell you.....that is NOT always an easy choice, b/c sometimes the person on the other end of the conversation (in my mind) deserves it, but the true test is, when faced with that situation, to make the choice TO be a BETTER version of YOURSELF.... You don't need Beyonce to UPGRADE ya....UPGRADE YOURSELF!!! (smile)
*And I would be remiss not to make it clear that within myself alone, I probably would not have the power or self control necessary to do all this on my own, but I completely rely on Christ's help in my efforts. So far so good...that is when I'm not being stubborn and I actually take heed to what He tells me to do and how He instructs me to deal with a situation....I cannot lie though, there are times when I get in my feelings and allow my flesh to get the better of me, like I said I am still mastering it...But I'm winning! lol
I agree, I find myself stuck within this line of thought alot. I contribute this towards my ignorant belief that once a person is Grown, there is nothing else to learn.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
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