I Don't Want To Be Anything Other...

"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be." - May Sarton

Whenever, I feel judged or that I am trying to meet the expectations of others I'll remind myself  "I can only be me.  I am what I am."  It's a simple statement, but feels very comforting and grounding.  It reminds me that I cannot please everyone all of the time, and the most important thing is to be true to myself, never compromising my values.  Sure, I may fail sometimes, but as long as I learn and move forward I can only stand to do better.  

Recently, I've felt inspired to emphasize this need to be authentic, because, I believe there is strength in authenticity.  By being ourselves we unconsciously give others the comfort and empowerment to be themselves as well.  And really, wouldn't you want to be in the company of someone who is authentic rather than an untrue representation of themselves.

It is for this reason, "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw has always resonated strongly with me ...  In the theme of authenticity it is today's Sunday's lyrics.

"I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw

I don't need to be anything other

Than a prison guard's son

I don't need to be anything other

Than a specialist's son

I don't have to be anyone other

Than the birth of two souls in one

Part of where I'm going, is knowing where I'm coming from

I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do

Is think of me and I have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms

Wondering what I've got to do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me

I'm surrounded by liars everywhere I turn

I'm surrounded by impostors everywhere I turn

I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn

Am I the only one who noticed?

I can't be the only one who's learned!

I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do

Is think of me and I have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms

Wondering what I've got to do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me

Can I have everyone's attention please?

If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leave

I came from the mountain

The crust of creation

My whole situation-made from clay to stone

And now I'm telling everybody

I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do

Is think of me and I have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms

Wondering what I've got to do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me

I don't want to be

I don't want to be

I don't want to be

I don't want to be