S4 Ep5: Be Yourself – Because You Can’t Be Anyone Else
Who are you?
This is a massively loaded question. Who you are can vary depending on the time of day, the company you’re keeping, your mood, and numerous other factors.
The short answer is that you are you. No matter what happens, the only one in your head, heart, and soul is you.
Yet being yourself can be challenging because of the need to be accepted. The truth is that you are always yourself. And you should be yourself because you can’t be anyone else.
Ever wonder what the world would look like if you – and everyone – could just be yourself?
Kindness, compassion, and empathy matter
In the United States, over the past decade or so, you’ve probably noticed a trend. Certain people, claiming liberties, rights, privileges, and the like – in the name of being themselves – have been utter dicks to everyone else.
That’s because a key element of being yourself gets ignored. And that’s kindness, compassion, and empathy.
You have a choice. But consider this – do you desire to receive kindness, compassion, and empathy from others?
Being yourself means being true to yourself
Have you ever created a version of yourself that you presented to one group or person but not another? And has that identity been difficult to maintain because – though created to gain acceptance by another – it wasn’t true to you?
That’s why being yourself means being true to yourself. It's the only way to really, truly, genuinely know and be you.
Being yourself is not a license to be a dick
There is a common thread to this – kindness, compassion, and empathy. Or a lack thereof.
You know right from wrong. Not the black and white variants, but the shades of greys and color between them. You know not to randomly murder people just because, not to shove every slow walker on the street before you out of the way, not to urinate on public sidewalks, and so on.
If you think something someone does makes them a dick – don’t emulate them. Don’t do what they do. Don’t be a dick.
It’s a surprisingly simple measure.
The world needs your unique self in it. Because even if the why isn’t entirely clear – that is why you are here. To be yourself - and all the good and bad, potential and possibilities - that comes with it.
This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool:
To know if you’re being yourself – right here and now, write down the following questions one at a time, with the present answer – before writing and answering the next question:
· What am I thinking about right now?
· What am I feeling right now?
· How am I feeling now?
· What’s my current intent?
· What are my present actions?
This establishes in the present moment the basics for who you are. Based on this, write this question, and answer it immediately:
· Am I being myself or being disingenuous to myself?
If the answer is yes – more power to you! If no – being mindful of this information gives you the control to change what you dislike and do what it takes to better be yourself.
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Original cover art artist Fe Mahoney: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaliasInspirations