Tiny Wisdom: On Being You

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” -E.E. Cummings

It can be difficult to be true to yourself if you have no idea who you are.

So often we identify with who we’ve been in the past, holding onto bad memories and assuming they have to define us. Or we think about who we should be—things we want to have, how to we want to be perceived, and how we want to be remembered.

We attach to things and people, as if they are a part of us, and then feel disjointed when someone leaves or something changes.

Those things aren’t who we are. We are not what we own. We are not who we have been. We are not what other people judge us to be. Who we are on any given day is the result of what we choose to think and do.

Find the courage today to choose for you, no one else. Choose without stressing about what’s come and gone or worrying about what might be. Choose based on who you want to be in the world today, and then honor that choice with your actions.

What do you need to do today to be the person you want to be?

photo by h.koppdelaney

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.