Identity is as easily changed as the thoughts that created them. I long imagined that as an awkward teen, my identity embodied overweight and unworthy. Interesting that upon a look back into the years which I courted such a self-imposed restrictive box was literally less than five; yes, five - from age 15 to age 20. Even more damning to realize that of those five years I then spent the next 20 flirting with every eating disorder out there. Identity is not innate; it is something we can change on a whim or bring to realization with desire for a different life.
Identity is fickle, fleeting and cannot be stable unless it is built on the merits of the inside of your heart. Anything dependent upon physical desirability, mental acumen or career achievement will come crashing down around you at the slightest setback or crack. And although you may shake your head, sit and reflect upon that for just one moment.
How old was I when I determined who I was and what relative little worth I had? I was a teen. And so were many of us. Most of us gained a skewed view of who we were simply from how we were raised and the limitations our parents had with their own self esteem. Some of us may have passed through our formative years without such wayward thoughts and did not bump along into labeling ourselves until a debilitating illness hit, an accident took our dreams or addiction of one form or another wiped out our ability to fight for a better life.
Even still, that does not matter, identity can still be changed. It may require additional support but it is still an active choice you can make. Since it is self-created, it can be re-created. Bettered. It can become so powerful and free that it melds with the inside of your soul and reflects in powerful rays on the outside of your person.
I think of what could be accounted for as wasted years in the drowning circles of self-hate; and yet I stand grateful for the experience knowing that it only strengthened the character inside of me and allowed me to see through the flaws and conditions of others to accurately view the worth of who they are despite their mistaken identity.
Are you happy? Do you self-deprecate? Start today by living what you know is true inside of yourself. The language will be difficult at first to verbalize, especially since those we surround ourselves with often reinforce our current self-reflection. And there will be those who will find it unsettling to allow this language to turn to the positive because their identity is wrapped in appearing better than you are. Let that go. Do not deter what worth you have and what you are meant to become.
Courage. Faith. Freedom. Laughter. No more walls. No more self-inflicted limitations.
Brush past circumstance, vice, position, health or beauty to understand that none of these matter in the choice of existing within clean air. Many of us who know have grappled with depression, seen death, experienced crippling illness in a variety of forms, and realize without a doubt just how precious this life is. And even still, we must wake up every day and actively remember this gift.
Create your free space now and honor the abundance that surrounds you in the form of nourishing relationships, talent, music, conversation, education. Fill your senses with those things that will fulfill you and bring joy for always. Don't wait.
How old was I when I determined who I was and what relative little worth I had? I was a teen. And so were many of us. Most of us gained a skewed view of who we were simply from how we were raised and the limitations our parents had with their own self esteem. Some of us may have passed through our formative years without such wayward thoughts and did not bump along into labeling ourselves until a debilitating illness hit, an accident took our dreams or addiction of one form or another wiped out our ability to fight for a better life.
Even still, that does not matter, identity can still be changed. It may require additional support but it is still an active choice you can make. Since it is self-created, it can be re-created. Bettered. It can become so powerful and free that it melds with the inside of your soul and reflects in powerful rays on the outside of your person.
I think of what could be accounted for as wasted years in the drowning circles of self-hate; and yet I stand grateful for the experience knowing that it only strengthened the character inside of me and allowed me to see through the flaws and conditions of others to accurately view the worth of who they are despite their mistaken identity.
Are you happy? Do you self-deprecate? Start today by living what you know is true inside of yourself. The language will be difficult at first to verbalize, especially since those we surround ourselves with often reinforce our current self-reflection. And there will be those who will find it unsettling to allow this language to turn to the positive because their identity is wrapped in appearing better than you are. Let that go. Do not deter what worth you have and what you are meant to become.
Courage. Faith. Freedom. Laughter. No more walls. No more self-inflicted limitations.
Brush past circumstance, vice, position, health or beauty to understand that none of these matter in the choice of existing within clean air. Many of us who know have grappled with depression, seen death, experienced crippling illness in a variety of forms, and realize without a doubt just how precious this life is. And even still, we must wake up every day and actively remember this gift.
Create your free space now and honor the abundance that surrounds you in the form of nourishing relationships, talent, music, conversation, education. Fill your senses with those things that will fulfill you and bring joy for always. Don't wait.
- This Carman Girl
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