I've Got to Be Me! You've Got to be You! By Janice Taylor, Life & Wellness Coach, Cert. Hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, Author, Blogger and 50-pound big-time-loser. (write Janice for free consult)
I've 'borrowed' the above classic Oscar Wilde quote, "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken," more than once (like every 10 minutes - thank YOU, Oscar), and it always gets a laugh and produces an a-HA moment.
It is soooo the truth! Some of us embrace the idea of being ourselves - a freeing concept - while others 'try' to be themselves - not exactly knowing who they are and a bit reluctant to put it out there!
Here follow some kick-tush suggestions on how to be you! I recommend that you first listen and watch these YouTube specials before diving head first into 'you.' All belting out "I've Got to Be Me," one of these truly unique 'characters' is sure to inspire, motivate and pump you up!
Clay Aiken: I've Got to Be Me
Sammy Davis, Jr. : I've Got to Be Me
Michael Jackson: I've Got to Be Me
King of Drags : I've Got to Be Me
And now ... without further ado ~
... apparently, more difficult than one might imagine!
1. Take Stock: In order to be yourself, you do have to know, understand and accept yourself. The best way to do that is to take time to contemplate your life, your choices and your naval. (Back in the day, people would ask, "What are you doing?" to which you might respond, "Contemplating my naval.")
2. Accept Your Mistakes: Know that there is no such thing as failure; only feedback. Take a good look at your choices. While feedback is a useful commodity, there's no reason to repeat mistakes and failed attempts.
3. Let Go of Caring About What Other People Think: The fact of the matter is that it really doesn't matter how people perceive you and worrying about what others think is a brick wall of your own making! It is virtually impossible to be the person that everyone likes. (There are even a few who don't like Oprah. No joke!)
4. Be Open and Honest. A bold move, but nonetheless, ask yourself, "What have I got to hide? Do I feel ashamed or insecure about any aspect of myself?" If yes, if you are loaded with 'flaws,' note what they are, come to terms with them and then transform them into quirks ... in my case 'kookiness!' (In case you didn't know, O, the Oprah magazine deemed me a 'kooky genius.' I succeeded in utilizing my flaws to the max!)
5. Laugh At Yourself. So what if you are a mess. We all are and are secretly terrified that we're going to be undone by our misfortunes and flaws. Imagine how relieved everyone will be to know that you (and in turn, they) can turn their unfortunate stories into something funny. They will laugh with you! Oh my ... laughter does feel good!
6. Develop Your Individuality. What's your style? In form, fashion, thoughts, and manner of speaking? If you are a round and luscious goddess who wears red and thinks 'interesting' thoughts and speaks in a NuYawk accent, go for it! Stand tall, be proud, be your character.
7. Play in Traffic. If you don't play in traffic, you can't get hit by a truck. Ha! In other words, if you don't get out there and risk getting crapped on by a pigeon, you'll never be yourself. Be sure to carry those nifty clean wipes. Something splatters on you; clean yourself up and play some more.
8. You and You - Side by Side: Ultimately, you are hanging out with you all day long. So, be your best, most interesting and fun self. Hang tight with you!
Spread the word, NOT the icing,
Janice
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" . . . . kooky genius ~ see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." ~ O, The Oprah Magazine
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This couldn't have shown up at a better time for me. I have always tried to be who others wanted me to be and put ME last on the list. Janice is right I can only be me and if I'm not true to that then I'm not being true to who I was created to be.
The points the author raised, with the obvious exception of #6, were fine as far as they went. However, 'just be yourself', by itself, is about the worst advice I've ever heard.
People who expect to be accepted for who/what they are, without qualification, are living in a fantasy world. 'jby' works fine for naturals, people who are naturally good with other people, who obviously don't need the advice in the first place.
But for the rest of us, who didn't choose our parents so well or have lived under less than ideal circumstances, we have to do more. We have to be our BEST selves. To present ourselves in the best possible light. And if that isn't good enough, we have to improve ourselves.
I am me if you don't like it get off the bus because I'm not changing for you.
Many of us have been told all of our lives by family, classmates, the media etc.. that we weren't good enough b/c we were different...not thin, smart or pretty enough, etc.. Well, I believe that the person in the room who appears to be the most beautiful & confident has their own insecurities, even if the rest of us can't see them. In my 50's, I have started to embrace my little quirks & care less what others think. Yes, I still need improvement in some areas of my life, but it takes the pressure off to start by accepting myself where I'm at now, a unique, creative, chatty, kind & full-figured woman who has a thing for bracelets.
I just discovered you and your work! What a blessing!
Love your art, sense of humor and great example you set for
those of us still trying to drop weight.
A BIG THANK YOU!
Gwendolyn
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