Yesterday I was at a wedding shower. We were asked at the beginning to write down a word of advice to the future bride and then we put all of our wisdom into a little basket. At the end of the event, she would read each of them and choose her favorite and one of us participants would receive a small prize.
The advice I gave was this: Always be true to who you are. Of all the gems I could provide, why choose this one? Well, I have been challenged to hold onto who I am and not compromise over the years and am a better person for it.
Everyday each of us is challenged to compromise our standards, our convictions and yes, our very selves. Sometimes it's not comfortable to be a little different and so we follow the crowd, not wanting to stand out. However, I think this 'standing out' is what makes each of us so precious and so valuable - to ourselves and to others.
Let us not shrink back for comfort's sake. Let's hold fast to who we are and to our convictions. There's nothing wrong with changing your position on something when you receive some good information. But the core of who you are will not change. That is set and is great just the way it is. The world needs you to be you. We are all here for purpose. If we imitate someone else, then there are two of that person and none of you. We need the real you. We need what you bring - even if it's quirky and different.
So stay true to you - for you and for me!