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.”
Excellent write-up. I definitely love this site. Keep it up!
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I really hope to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal website now 😉
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your site.
I enjoy reading a post that can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the site is really good.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this information.
This is the perfect blog for everyone who would like to understand this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been discussed for a long time. Excellent stuff, just great!
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that produce the greatest changes. Thanks for sharing!
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read content from other authors and use a little something from other websites.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest blogs online. I am going to highly recommend this website!
Good post! We will be linking to this great post on our site. Keep up the great writing.
I like it when folks come together and share views. Great blog, continue the good work!
I want to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you postÖ
Greetings, I do think your website could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic site!
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
Excellent article. I absolutely appreciate this site. Stick with it!
Greetings, I think your web site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great blog!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your blog.
Excellent write-up. I absolutely love this site. Keep it up!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your blog.
Greetings, I do believe your blog could be having browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, great site!
You have made some really good points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.
I truly love your website.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you make this web site yourself? Please reply back as IÃÂm wanting to create my very own site and would love to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks!
Hello there! This article couldnÃÂt be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I will send this information to him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Along with every thing which appears to be building inside this subject matter, many of your viewpoints are rather refreshing. Nevertheless, I beg your pardon, because I do not give credence to your whole strategy, all be it refreshing none the less. It looks to everybody that your commentary are generally not entirely validated and in fact you are yourself not really wholly convinced of your point. In any event I did enjoy examining it.
I was pretty pleased to uncover this page. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to see new information on your web site.
You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the web for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
I’m very happy to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you book marked to check out new stuff in your website.
Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is extremely good.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this website needs a great deal more attention. IÃÂll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!
This site truly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didnÃÂt know who to ask.
I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this site yourself? Please reply back as IÃÂm planning to create my very own blog and want to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thank you!
Hi there, I do believe your website might be having web browser compatibility problems. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful website!
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Best wishes! Exactly where are your contact details though?
I’m very pleased to uncover this great site. I need to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new information on your blog.
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a top notch articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
There is certainly a great deal to find out about this issue. I really like all the points you have made.
IÃÂm impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatÃÂs both equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I found this in my search for something concerning this.
Spot on with this write-up, I really believe that this website needs a great deal more attention. IÃÂll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the information!
After I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having issues with your RSS. I donÃÂt understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thank you!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thank you for providing this info.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. IÃÂll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the advice!
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t fail me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I actually believed you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you can fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
Great info. Lucky me I recently found your site by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later!
Hello! I could have sworn IÃÂve been to this site before but after going through some of the articles I realized itÃÂs new to me. Anyways, IÃÂm definitely happy I came across it and IÃÂll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely believe that this web site needs a great deal more attention. IÃÂll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the information!