You know how sometimes you’re crazy about something—you think it’s the best thing ever (after Phyno, of course), but someone else sees it as average? The reverse may be the case, where you think ‘mehhh’ of something someone else thinks the world of. The Mercedes G-Wagen, for instance—heavy-duty luxury vehicle with specs fit for a king. Some people would rob a bank to acquire it, but guess what? I hate that car! I think it’s so ugly.
In contrast, I love, love, loooove Indian cuisine. From the flavours of the dishes to the aroma of curry, I think it’s just to die for. I don’t believe anyone cooks basmati rice like they do. Please don’t even get me started on naan bread.
Heaven.
However, as much as I love Indian food, I know it’s an acquired taste for a number of people.
Now, imagine the G-Wagen and Indian cuisine are human beings. Imagine they are you and me. That I’m not so keen on the G-Wagen doesn’t mean a different person wouldn’t go gaga over it. My lack of appreciation of the car will never take away the love certain people have for it; the same way someone else’s dislike for Indian cuisine doesn’t make it any less appealing to me. I love it just the way it is, strong flavours and all.
Have you ever found yourself wanting someone’s love, attention or friendship to the point where you feel the need to pretend to be something you’re not? Well…stop. No matter how amazing you are, not everyone will like or accept you…and guess what? That’s OK. I’m in no doubt about how great a person I am, but I also understand that for certain people, I won’t be…enough. No matter what I do. I may not be funny enough, or driven enough, or spiritual enough or fashionable enough. However, to someone else, without even trying so hard, I’m nothing short of the moon and stars. I’m everything a group of people have been longing to have in their lives.
Be yourself.
You are exactly what someone is looking for. I’m not just referring to romantic dalliances. You are exactly the kind of person someone needs as a friend. Your quirks and idiosyncrasies are perfect for them. You attempting to change who you are to be accepted by a few, usually insignificant people, is a huge disservice to those who actually need you as you are. Be yourself because that’s who you’re best at being.
If at all you have to change, let it instead, be to improve your character and to become a ‘2.0’ version of yourself. Become more hardworking, more patient and friendly, kinder and more personable. Your aspirations to become a ‘better you’ should never be to feel validated by another person or like you matter to them. Your self-development, ideally, shouldn’t be to make you worthy of someone else’s love and acceptance. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen. Well, except you’re on their payroll, then by all means develop away. (I kid, I kid. The Igbo in me popped out for a brief moment). You should build up yourself because your personal improvement adds value to your own life and to the lives of those around you.
Be yourself always. Why bleach your skin or wear your hair in a way you find uncomfortable, simply to get the attention of a guy? Why do you need to tone down your laugh, or pretend to love basketball when, in fact, you love to watch the news? Why dress in a way you’re not used to, just to fit in with a particular crowd who aren’t even adding a thing to your life? If you don’t like politics, you don’t like politics. If you prefer Game of Thrones to Empire, guess what? That’s OK. We must never change who we are for anyone’s approval because us humans are terribly fickle and someone’s rejection of you has nothing to do with you as a person (except you have an ugly attitude, then in that case, it probably has everything to do with you). It doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful or rich or interesting enough. It simply means you’re not what they’re looking for. And that’s OK. That’s absolutely OK. Just keep being yourself, because you’re exactly what someone is praying for. And it would be such a shame to deprive them of your awesomeness.
Can I get an Amen to this post?!! Omg, this is what so many people need to hear right now! We are changing ourselves in ways unimaginable to please people. As you said, humans are fickle. Too capricious to be the deciding factor of who we choose to be. I was taught early on that we have to choose who we serve: God or man. And as I’ve grown and lived a little, I’ve come to realize that it truly is, simple as that. We can’t meet the needs of God, society, or even ourselves all at once. We have to choose whose opinion of us matters the most. For me, I look to God, which is sometimes hard, but that is my standard. My go to. It’s kinda like the saying, “stand for nothing, fall for anything.” It’s true. Throughout our lives, there’s going to be a lot of people telling us who we’re supposed to be. It becomes imperative, very quickly, that we choose whose voice we will allow to influence who we are and who we ultimately have the potential to be.
This was a great read and a needed reminder!
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Not altering myself to please people was the most liberating truth I learned last year. In the process of changing to be accepted by others, we end up not knowing who we truly are. And that is one of the biggest losses anyone can ever experience.
Thank you Celestial! For your insightful comment, as always, and the encouragement.
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You spewed the truth!!!
No, you dished it on a gold plate! 👌👌👌
Insightful and honest.
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Thank you so much Debs!!
xx
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Very interesting post, I dare say, and so very relevant for the world we live in today. More especially for the girl child who is taught from her infancy that she is inferior to boys and can only find relevance by trying so hard to please so she can gain acceptance. We sure have our work cut out for us in trying to imbibe the culture of self worth and acceptance as you have very well written in your post, especially in a male dominated society. But try, we will! I am good enough for me and for God and that’s all that matters.
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‘I am good enough for me and for God…’ Beautiful and true words!
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I love this!!! I have been a people pleaser for a long time. Trying to be what I’m not so I can get people to like me and accept me and not think I’m weird.
With it came low self esteem and insecurity. I was always troubled, wondering if I was doing enough, what they thought of me. I became like boiled unsalted rice; no substance, no personality. I morphed into whoever I was around at that moment.
The worst part was that no matter how I much I tried to conform, it was never enough. There was always something else, something more.
Now I’ve decided to be unapologetically me, with all my quirks and idiosyncrasies. I have realized that I am enough. God didn’t make a mistake while creating me, he didn’t leave anything out. The only thing I owe myself and my loved ones by extension is to be the best version of myself. To improve what is already present.
Awesome post💛
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Amazing, amazing, amazing comment. You, my love, are so enough.
*massive, near-choking hug*
xxxx.
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👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Oma👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Fantastic!
The G-Wagon Indian food analogy is litt🔥🔥🔥🔥
There’s this song I’m humming mentally : “Just Be You” by Anthem Lights you’ll love it
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Thank you so much!! I truly appreciate.
I’ll check out the song.
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What more can I say that hasn’t already been said. Like my people say, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you”.
There’s really no one me’er’ than me!
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There’s really no one me’er’ than me!
Indeed!
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Late to the party but better late than never!
I loved this. This was so timely for me as I had been struggling a bit with myself and I must say, I love this new wave of positivity going on in the world, makes me so happy.
Thank you so much for this Ihuoma!
http://www.desireuba.WordPress.com
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Awww. I’m sooooo glad you loved it! Thanks a lot. X
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Too many people are causing irreparable harm to themselves trying to fit in or be what they are not. Thank you for writing this! This is one that many teenagers should read. I worked with them for a while and the damage peer pressure does is shocking.
https://belletammy.blogspot.com/
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I wish more people knew they didn’t have to change to make anyone accept them. But alas, this heart and the emotions it comes with…it can truly be deceptive. Smh.
Thank you, Ene.
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I can only say : “Thank you for being you. ” Great blog-post of yours ..like many others here. I am grateful that I found this source of joyous words ..and follow it 🙂 Have a Happy New… Here and Now 😉 😀 oh and here something similar , related point of view / insight but somehow different that I wrote well some years ago : https://myheartschoices108.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/be-your-own-best-friend-ever-in-your-life/
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Hi Andreas! Thanks a lot. Happy new year to you too.
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