BE YOURSELF
Fear, Obstacle, and Possibility
Mid-week top 3 — make yourself #1
I remembered that I became a paying member of Medium to read, not to write. I have been reading more about things I like, and mostly avoiding articles about writing and succeeding on Medium. I’ve read enough to learn that no one fully knows how to do it. The world works in a mysterious way.
As a writer, I am more interested in supporting those writers who are providing me with quality reading material instead of regurgitating the same beat-up ideas like “write more” and “write consistently.” Duh!
One of my favorite topics is being yourself. I don’t need to learn how to be myself; I know that. I love to read stories about how others came to realize that being themselves was the key to success and happiness. The challenges they faced and overcame are the kind of stories that help others value themselves in the face of societal rejection, and inspire them to take action to reclaim their innate power.
Some of us are unabashedly ourselves. We all know who we are when we are young, then the social programming beats that idea out of us, usually.
Brian Fehler relates a story about when he was eight years old and different but wanted to be a part of group activities — to be in a parade. His individuality kept getting in the way, but he remembers fondly how his dad supported and encouraged him to be himself.
At 22 years old, Itxy Lopez dispenses wisdom I wish I had when I was 44. I am almost 66 now, but I do not have the communication skills that she has mastered.
“Greatness or nothing,” she says.
She has produced a well thought out, well organized, and professionally written article about honoring yourself and your dreams. She convincingly demonstrates why it’s not only essential but imperative that you identify and pursue your uniqueness.
And finally, from the Master himself, an invitation to ponder what could happen if we shun the social expectations and honor our genuine selves.
Ayodeji Awosika is one of the top writers on this platform who has taken himself from what if to where he is.
He shares his journey of breaking out of the norm of social acceptance to creating his own tribe. You do this by a filtering process of being unashamedly yourself and attracting the people who can relate to you. Once you discover your tribe, they will support you morally and financially, so you don’t have to pander to everyone.
What have you read that I need to learn? I want to support those who are consistently putting out quality content and creating value for the readers, whether it is in the form of entertainment, inspiration, or information. Tag me on your Top 3, so I can benefit from them as well.
Thank you for reading. If you want to read my stories, here are a few samples.
I am a self-proclaimed weirdo, Jack of Many Trades and Master of Some. I live the Freedom Lifestyle — life on my terms, and help those who are interested in doing the same. (email me with Freedom Lifestyle in the subject line)
“You can let others tell you what it means to be successful, or you can decide it for yourself.”
