You Do You

"Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who to be?"

Hey everybody!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and at least a decent start to their week. :) It's Wednesday, so that means it HUMP DAY!! Happy Hump Day! If you get a chance, say hi to a camel for me. Anyway, this week I have decided to write about being yourself because I've been so disturbed by people trying to tell others what they should do with their lives and people being judgmental of others for their choices. For those of you in college, it's a time to find yourself, what YOUR passions are, and what goals you have for yourself. If you're still in high school, it's still important to be yourself; you still shouldn't let anyone tell you who to be. Same goes for full grown adults. There's a reason we were not all created the same. The world would be a pretty lopsided, boring place if everyone was the same or even super similar. So many people will try and tell you who to be, and I'm going to talk about a few and how to deal with that.

Your Parents
This may be the most challenging one, because almost everyone wants their parents approval, however, your parents love you and will support you, maybe not at first, but they will come around. Now, high-schoolers, you do still have to listen to your parents...this is not an okay to go and rebel. They care and just want to protect you. Until you fly the nest, they are completely responsible for you and their rules are important. If you're going to graduate soon and they're trying to give you ideas on what to be when you grow up, do not ignore them; they're trying to help and most likely know what your strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes are. Listen to them. It will also help you narrow your college search and maybe make life a little less overwhelming. College students, it's time to do what you're passionate about. It's perfectly acceptable to take your parents' advice, they may be paying the bills, however, do not allow them to tell you how to live your life. You're an adult now, and it's your life, not theirs. Most parents will respect that. Mine do, and I've grown even closer to them than I've ever been. You may have to have an adult conversation with them...good...you'll have to have a lot of those as you continue to grow up. Be respectful and listen to their point of view, but don't shy away from yours.

Your Friends
This is the one that bugs me the most. Lately I've seen way too many people tell their friends how to live their lives. NO! STOP IT! And stop letting them. I'm going to specifically address college students. When you're in college, it's time to explore life away from academics. I joined a sorority...and I LOVE IT. If that's the right fit for you, go for it. Don't let anyone tear you down because of it. I've caught a little bit of flack for joining a sorority, but not by my closest friends. I do have another friend who just joined as well and she is getting all kinds of crap for it. It's not anyone's place to tell you what to do with your time. We're too old for petty jealousy and thinking that just because someone joined a sorority they're going to replace their old friends...umm no...they are just expanding their circle. I've also heard that joining a sorority is "buying your friends." Well shoot, it's not the case, but if I bought my friends, I sure as heck didn't pay enough for them because they're pretty spectacular. That being said sorority life isn't for everyone...I don't look down on people who are not in a sorority. Find your fit...whether it's choir, band, student ministry, and other clubs. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for doing what you love. And, newsflash, if your "friends" are truly your friends, they will get over it and will love you for who and what you are. Friends are there to love and support each other, not judge and tear each other down, so don't let your friends tell you what to do or how to live your life.

Your Peers
Peers, acquaintances, people your own age also love to tell us that how we're living is wrong. Who cares...if they're not your friends, it's not even worth giving them the time of day. Don't let them make you compromise yourself just so that you "fit in." You will fit in somewhere, and those people will love you for you, and it will be the greatest feeling in the world.

I'm a big Ke$ha fan because she believes so much in being yourself, and she once said, "Give the haters the finger and be true to yourself. You can't be a victim. You have to be a warrior." I'm not saying to actually flip people off...that's not polite. :) I am saying to give them the mental finger and be yourself. If you let people tell you who to be and allow them to victimize you, you won't get anywhere and you will be miserable. Be strong in who you are; be a warrior.

The Breakfast Club is also a brilliant movie and a quote from there that resonated with me was, "spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people." This is wonderful because if you do you, and make something of yourself, you will impress the right people further on down the line.

"There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living," so "may your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." (Mandela). These are two very big you do you quotes. Do not be afraid of your dreams and passions, and don't let others tell you how to live your life, or scare you out of what you're meant to be.

I hope this has made sense and is helpful to those of you who are struggling with people close to them telling you what to do...I know I struggle with this sometimes. Just remember, you do you, and I'll do me.

"The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them."

Yours Truly,
Steph