#630 be yourself

Were she still alive, today would have been my godmother's birthday.  Even though she has been gone for 15 years, she profoundly influenced my formative years.  She remained single, but far from being an old maid, Aunt Ruth was cool.  She was a "career girl" when it was fashionable to be a stay-at-home mom.  She had her own turquoise convertible with a white top, and drove her nieces around for rides around town -- in the style of an innocent Thelma and Louise.  She went on cruises and trips to Hawaii in the 1960s when such travel was far from common.  She was an unabashed Elvis fan even when his moves were scandalous to Grandma.

I thought of all this when I met with the advisors that work with students who are undecided about their college major.  They use several tools to help students learn about themselves -- some confirm their choices and some discover characteristics about themselves that may lead to a career.  The advisors said that many students leave with more confidence and an affirmation that the path they have chosen is good for them.

Aunt Ruth didn't have any career assessments or psychological tools to tell her that she could flourish independently.  But by her example, Aunt Ruth taught us that it was ok to be yourself.  It was acceptable to choose a different path, as long as you went down that path with gusto and confidence.

Whether you learn from formal resources or informal observation, I hope that you believe in the path you are traveling.  Your authenticity gives others the courage to be themselves too.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com