I'm impressive as me, you’re impressive as you, so I should be me, and you should be you! This statement came to mind this morning as I read. I looked not only unto myself, but also at the 4 beautiful daughters I have been given. As I looked at myself, I thought about the times I altered myself to be accepted by others. I came to realize, that the me that pretended to be something I wasn’t was not impressive at all. As a matter of fact, people were not impressed that I pretended to be what I wasn’t, but were disappointed that I lacked the courage to be me. Likewise, many of us have changed ourselves to fit the image and mold of our peers and the like and found ourselves caught in a net of confusion that many of us have yet to escape from.

Follow up:

As I looked at my children, I was forced to transpose this statement and asked myself the question, am I asking them to be who they are not, thus causing frustration and confusion? Could it be that the very best all of us can be is found with discovering who we are, what we are designed to do? Maybe instead of attempting to create a better, more accomplished you, we should be helping our children and student become a better and more accomplished self?

The truth is; we all have our own idea of what we consider impressive, and often times it is that which we are not. I do believe that the secret to being the very best student or you that you can be will exist once we are truly happy with whom we really are. Such a foundation will allow us to find satisfaction in our successes and failures, and keep the type of focus necessary to overcome future obstacles.

Let us help our students find said value. Let’s do more than scratch the surface. Let’s dig so deep, that we help them find the beauty that lies beneath the surface of their outer exterior. Let’s help them understand how valuable they are as themselves, and how to appreciate the value of others, without attempting to imitate or transform them into what they are not supposed to be.

The first step to doing this parents and educators is first learning to appreciate what stands before you. Each child, each student, each person is different and valuable in their own way. When you believe this, you can teach and help others find this true for themselves, without becoming frustrated that they don't fit into your box. This will boost their esteem in who they are, allowing them achieve the full measure of happiness available to them and will allow you to teach and raise them without frustration.

Let is be said from this point on, “I'm impressive as me, you’re impressive as you, so I will be me, and you will be you! After all, pretending to be who others want us to be is time consuming and just plain confusing.