She won a talent contest when she was seven. Her parents saw her light up once she was on stage, so they went all in and supported her singing career from then on. Beyonce Knowles is the most nominated woman in Grammy history. She is also the only person ever to have their first six albums debut at number one on the charts. Beyonce admits that her journey as an artist has included a transition from pleasing others to learning to please herself. Maybe that is why this quote rings so true:
Don’t try to lessen yourself for the world; let the world catch up with you!
-Beyonce Knowles
I spoke to an artist today who is struggling with who they want to be when they grow up. They are in a new stage of life and are working hard to find a balance between who they have been, what they have done in the past, and who they hope to become as they investigate new avenues. All of us struggle with that, no matter our age or chosen activities. Time has a way of prodding us forward, even when we are unaware of where we actually want to be when we arrive.
I think we can all relate to figuring out where we want to be when we “arrive”. No matter our age, living our lives to their fullest means handling ambiguity and change. What we wanted ten years ago is not the same thing we want moving forward. Our skills and capabilities have expanded beyond what we could think was possible ten years ago. And it is okay to realize that what we have now no longer satisfies that itch we feel each morning as our day expands before our eyes. Self awareness is a fluid adventure. It has twists and turns, ups and down, and all along that journey we have to be able to embrace our true self. Which may mean ignoring or deflecting where other people tell you or think you should be when you arrive. Above all else, we must be true to ourselves….which requires courage and gumption!
Let’s take Beyonce’s advise and stop lessening ourselves to suit what everyone else thinks. Let’s stand up tall, be brave and spend our valuable resources letting the world catch up with us! Because in the end, we are the ones who have to be able to look ourselves in the mirror and be content and proud of the person staring back at us. To be able to face ourselves and be proud is the best way to live our lives!
Welcome to Women’s History Month…time to shout, “You Go Girl!”
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