If you aren’t yourself, then who are you
Have you ever experienced someone making fun of the way you simply are? Maybe it’s the way you dress, talk, smile, laugh, or maybe you’ve been made fun of for the things you enjoy doing?
Being disrespected can form hurtful wounds that may cause you to want to hide; not only from those who have hurt you, but from everyone.
Specifically for me, I rarely would bring out my childlike side in front of people because I wanted to be seen as tough in all circumstances. For whatever reason, I believed if I were to allow myself to be seen as filled with joy, I would then somehow seem less strong.
However, within the past few years I have encountered many people who embrace their childlike wonder and are still some of the most fierce people I have ever met. One of these people being one of my first mission teammates. Whenever I think about him, I can’t help, but smile because of how unapologetically himself he is. He’s so diverse: filled with joy and delight, depth, strength, wonder, compassion, and love. This is a man that has taught me it is more than okay to be yourself. You don’t need to be perfect at anything and it is okay if you mess up. It’s alright if you randomly break out in song and dance or play in the ocean waves like you’re five years old again.
The people you choose to surround yourself with should be people that don’t judge you for being who you are. They allow you the freedom to be unreservedly yourself. Recently one of my friends said to me, “I never judge anyone. I don’t know other people’s circumstances so who am I to judge? If it isn’t helpful, then why do it.”
We were placed on this earth with other humans to be helpful to one another, to aid each other in life. We are meant to help each other become more ourselves and to grow in relationship with Christ.
Please don’t let someone’s inability to appreciate who you are cause you to hinder your own growth as an individual.
We are all unique, and that’s a good thing.
- Embrace who you are, all of your quirks and individuality. There never has been and there will never be another you.
- Begin to distance yourself in healthy ways from those who cause you to feel ashamed and pray for them.
- Take your wounds to the foot of the cross and allow Christ to show you who you really are.
- Dance like nobody’s watching.
Your sister in Christ,
Johni
