How to be You?

“How to be you?” A popular comment posted on stunning photos of celebrities, famous social media personalities, and good-looking or “successful” netizens in general.
 
There’s nothing wrong admiring other people as long as it does not have a negative effect with the way we see ourselves. If “How to be you?” means, “I hate myself. I wish I had your life. I wish I own the things you own. I wish I’m as good-looking as you. I wish I can trade places with you,” then that isn’t a healthy attitude.
 
If praising other people causes us to neglect our own self-worth and makes us envious of others, or worst makes us feel disheartened about the way we look, then it’s time to change the way we see ourselves, it’s time to shift our focus and ask the question, “How to be you?” to Someone whom we should be asking that question in the first place.
 
Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD says it best, “We are all concerned with looking good to others but at times we miss to be or to do good. It is easier to project a good image than practice what such an image requires. Jesus never pretended to be what He was not. And this honesty is one of the reasons that brought Him to the Cross.”
 
It’s so easy to be tempted in pretending to be someone we are not in today’s world that encourages nudity instead of modesty. Sadly, we are in a world that promotes infidelity instead of chastity; a wounded world that popularizes throwing away moral values for the sake of fame, wealth, and fleeting happiness.
 
Unfortunately, we often fall into the deadly trap of imitating and trying to keep up with other people’s achievements or looks that we fail to celebrate our own uniqueness. We sometimes are too busy looking at what others have that we missed out on our own blessings and potentials.
 
“How to be more like you Jesus?” is the question that we should start asking ourselves. God created us in His own image and likeness. Let us appreciate the way God made us. He wasn’t depressed when we were made. In fact, His heart overflowed with joy when He knit us together. He must have exclaimed, “What a beautiful creation I have made!” We were crafted beautifully according to His purpose. So what right do we have to look at the mirror each day and feel depressed at what we see?
 
Instead of looking at ourselves as ugly, unsuccessful, unworthy, and all sorts of negative descriptions we tell ourselves when we compare our looks and lives to others, we should ponder in our hearts why God made us just the way we are. He didn’t make us with the purpose of making us feel envious of His other creations. Envy is not of the Lord. Our flaws and imperfections are not to be looked at as mere weaknesses, we should remember that God can turn our weaknesses into strengths by His grace.
 
Wishing and constantly striving to be somebody we are not spells disaster. Loving ourselves and accepting everything that we are while constantly striving to be the best version of ourselves everyday will lead us to a blessed life full of joy.
 
So the next time you praise other people’s looks and achievements, see it as a way of marveling at how God created everything and everyone so beautifully, and that includes YOURSELF.

​Elly Roberts is an author, speaker, and artist. She uses her God-given gifts to serve God and His people. Having experienced so much suffering from childhood, she dreams of building a foundation for abandoned kids. She has counseled many women on mending a broken heart and finding love. Her writing style is very personal, honest, humble, and inspiring.

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