"ORIGIN"AL

Who are you? The original you? Do you doubt the validity of your originality?

I placed quotation marks around “origin” in the word because our originality begins with our origin. Danger lies ahead when we imitate others – striving for what we are NOT rather than being fully who we ARE. Sadly, changing the core, the original, has become a passion driven, never ending (it would seem) pursuit for much of the current populous. Fashion and hairstyles are excellent examples of outward signs of this trend. You need only listen to the news for illustrations of the inward signs. It would seem that everyone wants to be like everyone else. A more excellent pursuit might be exploring and accepting our true nature. It is my belief that the more I accept me, the more I can accept you. We have a saying in our home when one is attempting to justify an action based on how the other acts, “you do you and let me do me.” Do You Know who you are?

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” We love the first part of the quote by Oscar Wilde, but most have never heard of the second part. The words in their totality point to the sentiment that imitation is a sign of being mediocre, that one imitates the greatness that they see in others rather than explore their own greatness potential. Imitating potentially deafens one’s original self. Imitation of others could be a declaration that I am not good enough. Imitation is not a terrible thing if it acts as a catalyst for self-discovery.

I am not drawn to imitation. I fight the disease of comparison-itis which is comparable in many ways to imitation. I take pleasure in comparing my ____ to someone else’s. I am now on the self-administered treatment plan below.

I am worthy just as I am -consistently exploring ways of being a better ME.

I am deserving of the benefits and blessings that I enjoy not because I am so great but because of grace. There are more where these come from so I can freely share with others.

I am good, so good people, events, opportunities, lessons come to me in many ways.

I celebrate my good, I bless my originality, I am good enough and I don’t have to compare myself anyone else.

I explore ways not to be a different person but to be fully who and what I am.

This is an effective treatment plan for me to take into the New Year.

Jeremiah 1:5

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Resolve not to change, not to repress but to accept your originality.