Drop Who You’re Not
By Robyn Whyte, who knows how to be happy and writes at Robyn Writes.
I am intelligent, but not a scholar. I am curious, but not a researcher. I am devout, but not disciplined. I am religious, but not orthodox.
For many years I expected myself to be all of the above, which means I am well acquainted with failure. Liberation came with accepting who I am and letting go of who I am not. There will always be sufficient scholars, researchers, disciplined devotees, and orthodox faithful to make up for my deficiencies.
I am impressed by your scholarship, but no longer intimidated. I can admire your discipline without shaming myself, and gladly let you have your orthodoxy, with great relief.
The freedom and exhilaration of letting yourself off the hook of unrealistic expectations is accompanied by the joy of embracing authenticity.
Speaking for myself, it means trusting my intuition more than fact gathering; trusting contemplation more than petitioning; rejoicing that outspokenness and extroversion serve a purpose; affirming my innocence and earnestness, and acknowledging that I am not everyone’s cup of tea.
Who do you know yourself to be? Dare to share?
Image: Some rights reserved by Steve Snodgrass