Let me first start by saying there are many times that “just be yourself” is the best advice. For example – going on a date or a job interview. In these situations, who you are is important for the other person to know right at the very beginning.
But “just being yourself” is not an excuse either. Here’s what I mean.
I’m selfish. I always have been. I came out of my momma crying for a blanket and some milk. That’s part of who I am. Does that give me freedom to be rude to you for the sake of “just being myself”? Of course not.
Our world today is extremely individualistic. We’re told at a very young age that we can be or do anything if we just put our mind to it. I remember PBS programs as a child encouraging me to “Be original” and to think for myself. I don’t have qualms with that.
But that same thought taken to the extreme leads to the increasingly common thought, “I’m proud of who I am, and I won’t change for anybody.” A popular song by Imagine Dragons celebrates this individuality with the hook, “I’m never changing who I am!”
Seriously? What about if you’re a slob, a jerk, shy to the point of avoiding any human interaction, overbearing, hurtful, abusive, or just plain rude? You’re happy with that? You’re proud of who you are and are unwilling to change for anybody?
It can be really difficult to see this in ourselves. For example, as an extrovert, I am inclined to rudely dominate conversations and be a little obnoxious. I can’t help that I’m an extrovert, but I can control my behaviors. So although I’ll never change that I’m an extrovert, I DO want to change my level of obnoxiousness! I shouldn’t use my extroverted temperament (who I am) as an excuse to be offensive to others.
Let’s have enough humility to recognize that we are all incomplete and be open to the positive influences of those around us (for the Christian, those influences may come from the Holy Spirit). We are who we are – but we can always be a better “us.”
I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
Hello there! I could have sworn IÃve visited this web site before but after browsing through many of the articles I realized itÃs new to me. Regardless, IÃm certainly happy I found it and IÃll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
This website certainly has all of the info I wanted about this subject and didnÃt know who to ask.
Hi! I could have sworn IÃve visited your blog before but after going through many of the posts I realized itÃs new to me. Nonetheless, IÃm certainly delighted I found it and IÃll be book-marking it and checking back often!
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from other web sites.
I like it when people come together and share views. Great website, stick with it!
Everything is very open with a clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this issue. I really like all of the points you have made.
I really like it when people come together and share views.
Great website, continue the good work!
IÃm impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatÃs both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.
I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
Superb website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thank you!
Very good article! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
IÃm amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog thatÃs equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.
I was pretty pleased to find this page. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have you book marked to check out new things in your web site.
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but typically folks don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Cheers!!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this matter here on your blog.
Good post! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
This is a topic that is close to my heart… Take care! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes that will make the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Many thanks
Can I simply just say what a relief to uncover a person that genuinely understands what they are discussing on the net. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular because you surely have the gift.
Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I truly thought you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you can fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
bookmarked!!, I like your site!
Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I really hope to view the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉
You should be a part of a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the web. I am going to recommend this blog!
I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
Hello there! This post couldnÃt be written much better! Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept talking about this. I am going to send this information to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the site is very good.
Good web site you have got here.. ItÃs hard to find high quality writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover an individual who genuinely understands what they’re talking about on the web. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people must read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
I really love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this site yourself? Please reply back as IÃm looking to create my very own site and want to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Appreciate it!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this issue here on your internet site.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the website is also very good.
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
I used to be able to find good advice from your content.
Great site you have got here.. ItÃs hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
There’s definately a lot to learn about this issue. I love all of the points you have made.
I couldnÃt resist commenting. Very well written!
After I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
You made some good points there. I checked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Appreciate it!
Good info. Lucky me I found your website by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!
Greetings, There’s no doubt that your blog may be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, great site!
Hi there! This article couldnÃt be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs on the net. I most certainly will recommend this site!
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing this information.
Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!