Be Yourself (Write Your Own Script)

My friend recently asked me to help write for her blog which is target towards teens and collegiate women of various backgrounds. I ended up pursuing this challenge imaging that I was writing to my 19 year old self. Below is my first submission.

Enjoy and wish me luck on this journey!

Be Yourself

Write Your Own Script

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch

We all have different roles to play in life. The days pass by as we transition from daughter, to student, to friend, to intern, etc. In each moment we can become so enveloped by the needs of each character we play that we forget to write our own script. In order to author your story effectively you should know what motives you, your intentions, what relationships you value and why. Understand how these factors relate to everyday circumstances. Be wise enough to know that there is always room for growth.

Have fun with getting to know your point of view. Try new things and make yourself more dimensional. Know that your response will often times be different than your peers. Appreciate the difference. Variety is the spice of life. Consider the fact that there are 700 known species of trees in North America alone. The Creator could have made one tree that could withstand various habitats; better yet, one habitat across the globe. Instead we are blessed to share our connective space with leafy magnolias, tall pines, strong oaks, and succulent maples. Each has its own realized role in the ecosystem.

In my own journey through undergrad I struggled with being the person I always wanted to be, etching out my life purpose, and reconciling how I once indentified myself. Honestly, I’m still on this journey. At this point I think it’s about knowing your strengths and areas of improvement. Each day I set aside time to reflect and use what power I have to make tomorrow a little better. When each new day comes, seize it as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of your quirks. Consider how you can be compassionate about the nuisances of your fellow castmates. School and especially our teens and twenties are the best places to explore this transition. Be ‘uncool’ if you dare, but be genuine as often as possible.

Relax. Love the skin you’re in. Try to limit your outside influences to those that have your best interest in mind. Fear not if this group seems small. When it comes to support it’s really a matter of quality over quantity. Remember that what other people think of you is none of your business! This is not a license to become a bully or even a coward. Own your actions, do the best you can until you know how to do better. Engage in your own self-check and meet constructive criticism with grace. When you watch your favorite movie keep in mind that several edits were made before you were able to watch the final cut.

Great luck writing the story of your life! Remember you are the leading role but you do have a supporting cast to help you. In this journey our Academy Awards are happiness, hope, and love. You’re nominated to win because you are the best suited for the role. (Many apologies to Meryl Streep.)

Lastly, I love poetry among other art forms and I’ll leave you with these final thoughts on self-knowledge from Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese poet, artist, and writer.

On Self Knowledge

Khalil Gibran

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.
But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.
You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.
You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it is well you should.
The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;
And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.
But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;
And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.
For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth."
Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."
For the soul walks upon all paths.
The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself like a lotus of countless petals.