The Danger of Letting Others Define You.

All of us -- are infinitely complex beings. We aren't our mental health diagnosis, our jobs, our roles, or actions we've taken or not taken. and nor are we what we wear! We're so much more than that.

Be careful when you let others define you.

It's dangerous. I had experience this today.....

Let me share the story with you.

This morning, I was feeling so great, in fact, haven't felt as good as this in a long long time. Health wise i have been slacking off.... i had been eating rubbish and not taking care of myself. i had been sleeping real late....... i was starting to feel sluggish and so unfit.. that when i go outside just to even take the rubbish out i start to breathe so fast like it was a marathon.

BUT i had changed that life style lately.... and this i have been so happy with... that i was able to make some some small changes and it had now resulted in me feeling so great about myself, feeling so much healthier now and much more in control of what i eat.

Because of this, i had posted a picture of myself that made me feel so great and happy of what i had achieved over these weeks.

I was so happy with this result, UNTIL i got a phone call that my photo from a person that told me that it was not what they expected of me to post! Apparently they have a different "version" of me in their mind and that i should take it down as it doesn't go with my "image" haha what a great example of someone trying to define you!

I was simply being authentic and being me. but since this person had a different "version" of me in their mind, and the "image" didn't suit their "idea" of me... then it wasn't good enough for them.

SO GLAD I HAVE JESUS THAT REMINDED ME OF THIS VERSE:

1 Samuel 16:7

"... for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

So It's important that we take the time to define ourselves in a realistic, expansive way, and that we see clearly when others are trying to define us in their own terms or in relation to what they want us to be.

In my life, I tend to be honest about the times when I'm feeling down, and as honest as I am when I'm feeling good.... the reason why i share my stories and my struggles in my blog and my business is for others to learn with me as i learn along the way + celebrate those times of achievements together with my community that love me and know me.

So if what i'm wearing worries you...... and you feel afraid of what others might think of me as it doesn't go with your "DEFINITION" of me.... then please think again.

Jesus faced constant demands, dangerous opposition and little privacy. Yet he never allowed others to define him.

What does that teach us?

(Resource from Pastor Rick's Daily Hope)

Know who you are (John 8:12) — There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind as to who he was. He knew he came from God, and he knew he had a unique mission to fulfill. As believers, we can know we belong to God and that God defines who we are and what we are meant to do on this Earth. Trying to be someone God never intended you to be causes stress!

Know whom you want to please (John 5:30) — Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission. You can’t please everyone; even God can’t!

Know what goals you need to reach (John 8:14) — Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures.

Know how to maintain your priorities (Luke 4:42–44) — Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.

Don't let others define you. Keep shinning and live out your most authentic self.

"Like wild flowers, you must allow yourself to grow where others thought you never would." E.V