It’s OK to Be AWESOME Because YOU are!
Why is it that any person who shows confidence in their abilities is called arrogant? Why is it that anyone who likes who they are, can be passed off as self-absorbed? It appears that as people we have developed a society that is custom-made to make you feel bad about who you are no matter what.
The point is not that we should all be arrogant or self-absorbed. Everyone has things in them that are unique and, for the lack of a better word, awesome, and that should be used as motivation to allow you to reach your potential, not to make you feel bad about yourself.
Why we think we aren’t awesome
The educational system in America has done wonders to promote the feeling of inadequacy that many carry around all of their lives. If you fit into the system and learn the way that people have determined is appropriate you will thrive, but most people don’t fit into that mold.
Either a student’s talents don’t work on the schedule of a school day, or they have creative approaches to learning that are frowned upon, rather than encouraged.
“Follow the rules,” ” don’t be different,” and “conformity” is the desired actions of our public school system. If students can do well on standardized assessments, then funding and prestige can result. People are not standardized. Expecting them to learn like they are is absurd, unfair, and unhealthy.
This is an institutional dimming of the creative process that causes lifetimes of harm. If you are told when you are young that something is wrong with you, then you are going to believe it. All of the great things throughout history were done by people, who didn’t do what everyone told them to do. They didn’t follow the expected path, to get to the destination someone else envisioned for them.
They noticed their inner awesomeness and worked to nurture it, and create the great things that we treasure today. I often wonder how Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein would fare in schools today. Probably not very well. Embrace your awesome abilities, whatever they are, and don’t be afraid to be great, because you are.
Why People knock You Down
No matter who you are, you have probably met people who are so critical of everyone else’s shortcomings that are talking to them is a constant trip into misery.
It is easy to point out someone else’s mistakes and flaws, but it is also easy to recognize the fear in the person criticizing.
When the finger is pointed outward from them, they hope nobody will notice how miserable they feel about themselves and their own actions, talents, and lives.
It is true without exception, that those who judge others harshly are the ones who feel the weakest and worst about themselves. Hug them, wish them well, and move on.
This kind of behavior is toxic and will only stop you from embracing your own inner strength, talent, and beauty. Embrace the fact that you are awesome.
Even Awesome People Make Mistakes
One of the most consistent factors of being a human being living on the face of the Earth is that we all will make mistakes. How else could we learn about all of the emotions, feelings, and actions it takes to play this little game of life?
Mistakes are the signposts that help lead you toward the place where your awesomeness can flourish. Do not judge yourself too harshly because of a mistake, because it happened. Learn from it, take direction from it, become wise, and move toward your awesomeness. It is there just waiting for you to embrace it.
It is not Self-Centered to love yourself.
Many people have been taught, that to think positively about yourself is a form of
Arrogance will only lead to bad things. This attitude is dangerous, because if you don’t allow yourself to appreciate your talents and strengths, then it is a short step to not liking anything about yourself.
How many great books have never been written because someone lacked the confidence in themselves to write them? How many inventions have never benefited society because the person who had the ability didn’t love themselves enough to pursue it? The world will never know. It is not self-centered to love yourself, in fact, it is one of the single most important things you can do.
It doesn’t mean you tell everyone how great you are, because you are great, you don’t need to pontificate about it. Love your ability and know you can be great. There is something that you can contribute to the world that nobody else has the ability to do because you are awesome!
Contribute, create, sing, sculpt, perform business, market, run, think and the world will scream, “You are awesome!”
All the World’s Problems Solved
When I think of all of the people I know and the talent that each possesses, it is difficult for me to feel worried about the world’s future and what will become of humanity. Global warming, pollution, ocean health, sickness, hunger, disease all seem suddenly very solvable problems. They certainly are because with all of the greatness in people, and it is only a matter of time before the solutions to each obstacle will be discovered, created, and implemented. It can go no other way because you are awesome, and there is nothing wrong with that.
experience of life. The path to truth for each of us is more than likely going to be unique to our lives and will not look the same for any two of us. Following your path to truth is going to be a one-of-a-kind journey. So follow it with passion and allow others to do the same. Life is too short to spend valuable time being anything less than authentic and practice truth in all areas of your life. Only you can decide what that means for you.
and direction about the right thing to do. In the end, the only person who has experienced this trip has been me, and in retrospect, I alone can gauge each lesson learned and benefit from the wisdom these events have provided.
tools they need are unique to them. Even though you will all end up at the same destination, there is no “wrong” path to follow as long as you are not hurting someone else or limiting their lives. To support and encourage all people on their way. Some may get waylaid and stopped short of the ultimate destination, but that is their adventure, not yours. When asked, offer an honest assessment. When not asked, mind your own business and tend to your path. Be a shining example of how to live your life honestly and with a purpose.
