Like a Camel in Suburbia

Have you ever felt like a camel in suburbia? Like you were simply living yoru life yet soemthing was hinky.  I saw these camels in Cartersville, Georgia and they made me smile. Not that suburbia is a bad place, yet for a camel it is rather off their normal path. They obviously were brought here to attract attention. In fact there are four that live on this farm. I wonder what the neighbors next door think about desert creatures living next door? 

Seeing this made me think about all the times I felt like I was in the wrong place simply trying to be myself. Or when I was in the wrong job, the wrong relationship, the wrong living space, the wrong city. Those things aren’t always wrong, yet you know in your heart when you don’t fit and something is not working. You know yourself and you know what you want, yet something in your world is not right. You do all you can to make the best of things, and no matter how hard you try there is still a hitch in your giddyup. 

Then there are the times when I could not make a change, so I simply had to be comfortable being myself no matter how I stood out. I remember sitting in an executive board room during a leadership team meeting, realizing I was the only one in the room who looked or thought like me. I stayed because I needed to, and the company needed me. When I got out of the car to take this photo, the camels didn’t even flinch. They were obviously used to people stopping and taking their picture. They walked around, ate, and hung out with each other. They know who they are and where they are, and they are making the best of both. Sort of like me in that boardroom meeting, being myself in a strange place, sticking out like a sore thumb. 

Being your best means being your best no matter where you are planted. If you are in the right or wrong place, the clue is to be yourself no matter what. People may stare or not get what you are doing there, still be yourself. People will come and go, the key to success is to be true to you, true to yourself no matter the place, location, relationship, or city. You being you is something that no one can take away. 

If these camels can survive in suburbia, you can survive being yourself anywhere, doing anything, for any length of time.