24 Seven May 2018

Amy Collins
WILL THE REAL YOU PLEASE STAND UP?
We live in a tough world at times. It can
make us want to hide.
But, do you want the good news? How
we choose to process the world can
dramatically affect how we respond and
who we choose to be.
At any moment, we can choose to seek joy.
We can be mindful of what we read, listen
to and watch. We have the unique ability to
create joy amidst our messy world.
At the tender age of 13, right when fitting in
matters so much, I was sitting comfortably
in my assigned spot on the gym floor
minding my own business. I was dressed
in the required public school gym uniform.
Suddenly, I heard a boy’s booming voice
call out: “Hey, Amy, when are you going to
shave that forest off your legs?”
His voice seemed to echo while my legs
were splayed for all to see. I turned the
color of a firetruck and awkwardly shifted
my legs under me and willed everyone to
stop staring at me.
It felt like forever until I was out of the
spotlight, but that moment shifted my
perspective. It was the first time the world
blatantly told me that I didn’t fit in. I wasn’t
what I was supposed to be.
At some point, that message hits most
young people. But until it does, we live
blissfully unaware that there is any “ideal”.
Over time, I’ve learned to ask who creates
that ideal? What if it doesn’t work for
everyone? Who says who fits and who
doesn’t?
Is it our seventh grade peers? Social media?
Who gets to tell us who we are supposed
to be or how we’re supposed to look, feel
or act? And the key question is, once we
know about it, do we slow down enough to
determine if we even want to live up to that
ideal? What if it doesn’t genuinely reflect
who we are or causes us to hide who we
really are?
That moment in my seventh grade gym
class has driven my passion to help others
discover who they genuinely are.
When we live in a way that honestly reflects
who we are, we flourish. But if we hide or
lose ourselves, we feel frustrated, confused
or stuck.
I’m here to remind you that you always
have the choice - you can determine what
works best for you.
We have a responsibility to spend time
discovering ourselves and developing
our own life’s path. Most of us think that
making time for personal development is
a luxury, but it’s our responsibility. We’re
meant to flourish - for our own happiness
and for those around us.
Growth and development are basic human
drives. They make us feel alive. None of us
wants to feel stagnant. Making the time
to continually develop yourself empowers
you to grow in a positive direction.
We get to choose how we show up in the
world. If we’re unhappy or stuck, we have
the power to change that by rediscovering
who we really are and what works best for
us.
So, I’m going to challenge you, dear reader,
to step up and shine. Now.
Amy Collins offers transformational workshops that support women in living their best, most vibrant lives.
www.createclarity.net