Just be you, the real you...

If I am being really honest with you, writing these every few days has become somewhat therapeutic for me as well as a little scary… learning how to be vulnerable, letting people in, sharing in my struggles but also in my highlights is not exactly my strongest quality. I don’t think that this has been something that I have been particularly good at in the past, actually I think it was something I avoided at ALL costs, because if someone saw who I really was I was afraid that they would realize that I am just a really good faker, that I have insecurities, and fears that sometimes I feel like I don’t have what it takes. They would realize that I really don’t have it all together, that in a lot of areas I am probably a hypocrite. But over the last couple of years I have learned that there is an insane amount of freedom in letting people in, in letting them see the real you, in letting them love you in the wonderful times but also in the terrible times. But these changes didn’t just happen overnight and I am by no means an expert on them now.. Haha I am still learning and growing, I still have to make the daily choice to engage, to be the real me all the time. Because, let's be honest sometimes it is just easier to hide behind what everyone expects you to be.

So many times we so desperately want to belong, to find our place and we subconsciously make changes to try and do that when all we really want, or all I really want is to be known and loved. I know that God created me in a particular and special way - he created me to be strong, to be independent, to be an encourager, to love people well, to have a deep desire to make a difference in this world. He created me to be bold and confident and if I shy away from those things because they make others uncomfortable or if I hide who he really created me to be then I am saying God really doesn't know what he is doing, and am doing a disservice to the rest of the world by not walking in the true me. I am learning that if people don't really like the true me then it’s okay, I am learning to not be afraid of if people really know me, if they know the quirky things, the ugly things, the wonderful things, the annoying things about me...the me that sometimes dances around my house alone, the me that talks to myself sometimes haha… the me that overthinks and plans out scenarios in my head that probably will never actually happen… hahaha don’t leave me hanging, I know I am not the only one. haha  I am learning to just be me, take it or leave it - to not settle for less of the real me or to water down the real me because I am afraid that someone can’t handle it or won’t like it or think it is too much, or to bold, or to independent…

I don’t know what is going on in your world right now but I do know that you were created unique, special and with a specific purpose that only you can fulfil, so walk in that. Walk in that boldly today! Sweet friend, don’t water yourself down because you are afraid someone might not like the real you, just be you! The amazing, lovely, wonderful and beautiful you!