Be Brave, Be You

 "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Have you heard that quote before? It is a quote by Oscar Wilde. Chances are you have heard it before or something very similar. The quote has a lot of truth to it. There may be lots of people with the same first name as you and some may even have the same first and last name as you. However, they can never be you and you can never be them. That's okay because we are all made uniquely and wonderfully (Psalms 139:14)! Someone needs what only we can offer and give. Someone needs our smile, help, gifts and talents to encourage them along their life journey. Let the real you shine through. Let your personality, likes, dislikes and quirks shine through. It's okay! There was a time I didn't feel it was okay, but now I do. It didn't happen overnight, but I have learned to embrace who I am. For a very long time, I did not like to wear open toe shoes in public because I was embarrassed about how my feet looked. Every now and then, I would wear them, but felt self-conscious the whole time I did. I noticed people staring at my feet a little longer. I get it. I would too! You see, over time, my big toes turned to the side, so they are at an angle when you look at them. They do look different! My feet don't hurt and there is nothing medically wrong with them. I do have to be careful what shoes I wear, as we all do. Over time, I have learned to embrace my feet. I still have to take care of them and get them pampered. The stares of others don't bother me like it used to. Now, I wear my open- toe cute sandals (they even have bling bling!) from time to time in public and go get pedicures at the nail salon. It's a brave move because my feet do stand out and my big toes in particular. The more I do it though, the more confident I have become. Maybe for you, it is a part of your body that you've had to make the best of and learn to embrace. Maybe, it's a personality trait or something different that you have been hiding and don't like to show. We all have that one (or more thing!) that we have be braver about than normal. For me, it's showing my feet in open toe shoes. Whatever your "it" is today make a bold step forward. Let the real you shine through. Do something different and out of your comfort zone. It doesn't have to be a big thing. It could be small, but the key is that you did it. The key is that you be yourself. You can show your struggles, flaws, strengths and all. You don't have to be the perfect you, but be the authentic you. For the first time ever in August of this year, I posted a picture of my feet in sandals on social media! I had just gotten a manicure and pedicure at the salon. Now I had gotten my toenails painted before, but I was never brave enough to post a picture of my feet publicly before. That move in August was definitely a brave move because I still had to push past the self-consciousness and how uncomfortable it was. At the same time, I'm glad I did! Every part of me that God made is beautiful and that's what I have to remember. I pray that you are encouraged to take a brave move forward. It's a new season- fall is here! Do something new, different, out of your comfort zone. It could be as simple as posting a picture, sharing your story with someone, or signing up for a class. Whatever it is, let's began. Be Brave. Be You!