The vast majority of mankind nowadays is going through life in hiding.Yes,that's right.We're hiding.From the judgment of the people around us,our loved ones,our colleagues and employers but most importantly from ourselves.From very early on in life we have been shown that who we are is not acceptable.That we should conform to certain protocols and rules of behaviour.We are taught that we are too boisterous and that we should behave in a more decent,"quiet"way.Or we are too quiet.Then we should become more "alive",more outgoing.There really is no end to the list of expectations imposed upon every one of us daily on how we should behave or what we should be.So, we dutifully oblige and take on various roles-parent,emplyee,director,friend and what not.We put on our mask and perform the role the way we think others want us to be,not as a true expression of our authentic nature. It is in nature of man to move in groups-whether that is family,schoolmates,colleagues or friends.The need to belong,to be loved and accepted by others,to fit in, is therefore inherent in human nature.The lengths to which we go daily to comply to the expectations of what we should look like or behave is mind-blowing. We worship celebrities and try to look like them,hoping that will bring the much-desired acceptance.Extreme dieting,plastic surgeries,exposing ourselves to dangerous substances or enduring harrassment-everything in order to be accepted.Why then do we feel so miserable after achieving our purpose of being accepted? Why do we feel smothered by the same people we once yearned to be close to and accepted by?It's simple really.By trying to fit in, we have smothered and silenced our unique voice and expression.We have compromised our very essence. The most tragic aspect of this is that we perpetuate this gross violation of a person's soul by passing it on to our children.We teach them not to be themselves.We teach them to be quiet.To learn by heart and not judge.We teach them very often to look the other way and not speak out if they witness an injustice-even when the injustice is done to them.I know I am guilty of this myself.Too many times have I attempted to even out my daughter's boisterous,rebellious nature.Telling her not to shout.Not to speak up.Yet,isn't that smothering her essence?Isn't that stealing her gifts from her?My daughter could very well become a leaader in her field one day with such a personality.Why steal her future from her?Why should I try to fit her into a mould that is not made for her?We can't all be the same.Surely,there are more subdued,quiet people by nature and that is perfectly fine.But not all of us can be like that. As a teacher I've seen hundreds of children, all unique souls,beautiful to behold.Yet,it is abhorrent what the educational system is doing to them.Trying to impose ONE type of educational approach to thousands of students,doing unspeakable harm to those young minds.Why should there be a uniformity of personalities in this world?A mosaic is much more colourful,varied and infinitely more beautiful to the eyes.And in no way is it boring to the mind.What it takes then is an educational system that is more customised to the varying personalities we as teachers have the honour of impacting-and being impacted by,in return.To bring forth into the world a host of souls,each uniquely colourful and formidable, to impact the world with their uniqueness and varied talents. Every person on this planet has his/her own unique energetic signature .A unique soul essence.No one is the same and that is the beauty of it all. Seven billion unique souls on the earth.Each one with a unique personality and soul qualities.Each one with their own personalised mission.Every one of them deserves to be loved and accepted exactly as they are.Not shunned because of their talents or differences,but embraced and loved for them.Respected.Encouraged to hone them and show them off because that is the only way to make a difference. On an ending note,I would like to add one more little thing.It's not enough if we only extend this courtesy to others.We would be doing ourselves- and the world, a disservice if we allowed ourselves the comfort of our mask,the one that allowed us to fit in.It's about time we all stand out and shine the bright light of our uniqueness into the world.Bask in your weirdness.Glory in your flaws,for they are what make you the one-of-a-kind person you are meant to be.Go ahead then.Take off that mask.Be who you are meant to be.Let the world see you.Breathe in the love of those who accept you.Those that can't - well,so be it.Send them your love and move on.Life is too short to dwell on the negative.It is a miraculous adventure.Sparkle your light and love on everyone and everything you do and make this world a better place for everyone.Just by being YOU.You are more than ENOUGH. As always with love and light, Lia Some extra inspirational advice from a uniquely awesome woman...Gabrielle Bernstein.
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August 2021
CategoriesAuthorI am a passionate English teacher.Aspiring writer and speaker.I take educational matters to heart and hope to bring about some positive change in the field of education. |