Goal: To live life in the best ways possible for YOU. To live YOUR best life.
Sounds easy, right? But in all reality, it has never been more difficult to just be yourself. Many times we are too worried about what other people will think of us if we show our ‘true colors.’ What will people say? How will they react? Will I be accepted? How will I be treated?
It seems that being the same as everyone else in today’s world is the easy thing to do. Everyone is so afraid to go against the “norm”, so they choose to sit back and blend in.
Social media has played a huge role in the way our society thinks, acts, feels, and even in what we do and how we do it.
Instead of looking for ways to be the best version of ourselves, we copy the things we see others doing to the point where we change who we are to hide the unique things about ourselves.
Both children and adults alike struggle with this. Being different isn’t easy. But we should never let fear stop us from being our authentic selves.
As a mother and a teacher, I want nothing more than for my children and the students I teach, to love themselves for all they are and not let others stop them from doing what makes them happy or from reaching the goals they want the most in life.
Instead of trying to fit in with the “norm”, I think we should put more focus on changing the meaning of the “norm.”
As a kindergarten teacher, I make it a point to draw attention to certain qualities I see in my students and applaud them for making their own choices.
A boy who loves the color pink instead of blue.
A girl who loves to build things instead of playing house or dolls.
I want them to learn to express their likes and dislikes without being afraid of what their friends are going to say.
It’s so refreshing to watch five-year-old children accept one another for EXACTLY who they are. That shouldn’t change with age.
No matter how old we are, there’s no reason we can’t continue accepting each other for who we are and encouraging others to be their true selves. No two people are exactly alike and we need to recognize what makes us unique rather than try to be the same as someone else.
Dr. Seuss said it best: “Why blend in when you were born to stand out.”
Each one of us has different qualities that make us amazing. Let’s do a better job of encouraging others to forge their own paths in life. Don’t allow the fear of being different to play a key role in how you live your life or how you treat others who want to live theirs differently than you.
So remember…
Be proud of who you are. Love what makes you different. Stand out from the crowd. Embrace what makes you authentic. Don’t be afraid to be unique and bright.
Be a Fruit Loop in a world of Cheerios.
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