Saturday, October 01, 2005
being who we are
lately i’ve been questioning a lot of my most basic assumptions. thinking way outside the boxes i have long lived inside and considering what might be different if i didn’t adhere to their parameters.
one of the things i have come to as i’ve considered, deliberated and pondered, is that just being who we are is a really big deal. in fact, i’ve begun to think of it as a revolutionary act.
we live in a culture where the name of the game is to be just like everyone else, to fit in, to be hip, to follow the latest trends. being our often awkward, goofy, unrefined selves is not what we are encouraged to do. following our unprofitable passions, exploring our quirky questions, or donning our own unique look is often seen as abnormal, a waste of time or even nuts.
but isn’t this what being on this planet is all about, developing who we are as distinct individuals and seeing what our special combination of characteristics can add to the world? what would the world have missed out on if people like albert einstein or amelia earhart had listened to the many people who must have told them they ought to abandon the nonsense they were up to and settle down to a normal life?
being who we really are requires us to think beyond the shoulds and ought tos we’ve heard and internalized. it may mean questioning some ideas that we now think of as unquestionable. perhaps it means questioning whether or not you really want to get married, or have children, or whether or not you like the place you live, or the work you do.
who are you? it’s a question we answer in so many different ways at so many different points in our lives. try asking it of yourself on a deeper level. what would it mean to be true to yourself completely, each and every quirky part?
i plan to keep asking myself, and would love to hear any thoughts you have to share, feel free to post them here!
dream big,
-kirsten
one of the things i have come to as i’ve considered, deliberated and pondered, is that just being who we are is a really big deal. in fact, i’ve begun to think of it as a revolutionary act.
we live in a culture where the name of the game is to be just like everyone else, to fit in, to be hip, to follow the latest trends. being our often awkward, goofy, unrefined selves is not what we are encouraged to do. following our unprofitable passions, exploring our quirky questions, or donning our own unique look is often seen as abnormal, a waste of time or even nuts.
but isn’t this what being on this planet is all about, developing who we are as distinct individuals and seeing what our special combination of characteristics can add to the world? what would the world have missed out on if people like albert einstein or amelia earhart had listened to the many people who must have told them they ought to abandon the nonsense they were up to and settle down to a normal life?
being who we really are requires us to think beyond the shoulds and ought tos we’ve heard and internalized. it may mean questioning some ideas that we now think of as unquestionable. perhaps it means questioning whether or not you really want to get married, or have children, or whether or not you like the place you live, or the work you do.
who are you? it’s a question we answer in so many different ways at so many different points in our lives. try asking it of yourself on a deeper level. what would it mean to be true to yourself completely, each and every quirky part?
i plan to keep asking myself, and would love to hear any thoughts you have to share, feel free to post them here!
dream big,
-kirsten
# posted by kirsten johnson @ 8:50 PM 
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This is the reason I've always loved the quote, "Well-behaved women rarely make history".
# posted by 
: 11:46 PM
: 11:46 PM
"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."
--Mariah Carey
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--Mariah Carey
# posted by : 2:16 AM
: 2:16 AM << Home