When you look in the mirror, what do you see? That you’re too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny? That you somehow grew a pimple overnight, or a new set of crow’s feet, or maybe it’s time to completely shave your head considering that ever-expanding bald spot?
Or do you see your wonderful smile, the sparkle in your eyes, the confident set of your shoulders? What do you see?
And then the million-dollar question: Do you like what you see?
There’s the rub. Most of us don’t like what we see. We find fault with so much of ourselves—mentally, physically, emotionally—that it’s no big surprise that we are riddled with self-doubt, flagging self-esteem, and a general sense of unhappiness with ourselves, and by extension, with life.
Overcoming Our Own Perceptions
It’s really hard to give your all to your work, to your relationships, to your dreams, to life itself when you think that you’re flawed. No, this isn’t a call to rampant narcissism, the “I’m too sexy for my everything” parade.
There is a world of difference between simple acknowledgement of who you are (a very good thing) and believing that you’re somehow better than everyone else on the planet (narcissism, not so good).
You are unique. There has never been someone just like you, ever before in all of time, and there never will be someone just like you, ever again in all of time. You are truly one of a kind.
Isn’t it about time you realized how utterly fantastic that is? No one else thinks quite like you, no one else sees the world quite like you, no one else has quite the same combination of skills and talents as you.
Which means no one can respond to life quite the way you do.
Be Like Blake
I read about a phenomenal fellow named Blake Pyron, a young man with Down Syndrome, who opened a snow cone shop in 2015 when he was just 19, making him the youngest business owner in Sanger, Texas.
If all Blake dwelled on were the issues that come with Down Syndrome, if he refused to be the unique individual he is, he would never have embarked on such a venture. Now, he has established the Blake Pyron Entrepreneurship Scholarship to help others follow their dreams.
So, celebrate your uniqueness. Those skills, talents, quirky ideas, whatever it is that you can harness and appreciate in your life.
Blake ignores his Down Syndrome and simply forges on to manifest his dream. Ignore your too fat/too skinny/too short/too tall, pimply, crow’s-footed, hair-losing self, and, instead, get your fabulous self in gear.
Your life will thank you!
