A Young woman had an invitation to have a dinner with one of the richest man in Africa and discuss her innovative ideas with him.
When the Young woman heard the news, she went from families and friends for money to do a face-lift, a tummy tuck, and the whole works.
She even had someone come in and change her hair color, figuring that since she is going to meet the richest man in Africa, then she must also look rich, and make the most out of it. After everything she was discharged. However, while crossing the street outside, she was hit by a speeding Cargo which made her lost two legs and an eyesight.
On the hospital bed the richman came to visit, and upon hearing what has transpired before the accident, cancelled the dinner invitation. The young woman got fumed and asked the richman; “Why have you cancelled the dinner”? The richman replied; “I don’t recognize you, the Young lady I invited doesn’t have a face-lifted and tummy tucked”.
Be yourself. Think about it: Aren’t most of the discontented people you know trying to be someone they aren’t or trying to do something they’re not supposed to do? A Congolese proverb says; “Wood may remain ten years in the water, but it will never become a crocodile.”
Jeremiah asks; “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?” (13:23).
Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are.
Frederic Klopstock said; _”He who has no opinion of his own, but depends on the opinions of others, is a slave.
To only dream of the person you are supposed to be is to waste the person you are.” Nobody is as disappointed and unhappy as the person who spends her life longing to be somebody else. The person who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away. If you don’t have a plan or your own life, you’ll only become a part of someone else’s. Never wish to be anything but yourself.
Andre Gide said “It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not.”
Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.
The person who walks in someone else’s tracks never leaves his own foot-prints.
Most of our challenges in life come from not knowing ourselves and ignoring our true virtues. John Stuart said “All good things… are the fruit of originality”.
Most people live their entire lives as complete strangers to themselves. Don’t let that happen to you.
The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position. The opposite of courage is not fear but conformity. Nothing in life is more exhausting and frustrating than trying to live life as someone else.
No one ever became great by imitation: Imitation is limitation. Don’t be a copy of something. Make your own impression. Dare to be who you are.