A little self-serving perhaps?

Published on by Grace

Something I read this morning – about do you know who you are and what makes you, you. I think it was Rory, and then I came across another reference to being yourself and THEN when I searched for a Thursday song I found this –

Is the Universe trying to tell me something? If so what, because if ever there was a person who is totally themselves, it’s me. It seems I have a very strong sense of self. Despite –

~ A  few years in my early 20’s when I tried on different personalities/personas. I didn’t seem to have any control over it. It was odd, and expensive because each persona needed a different wardrobe. Just odd.

~ My ability to become another person – like the time I was going to a party with my brother and his girlfriend and she and I were discussing who I should be that night – I think I decided on Bette Davis – not that I would present myself as Bette Davis but rather the stereotypical Bette Davis character, like Margo Channing.

I always could ‘become’ an established character very easily, which is why I was great at cold readings in acting class. I had usually seen the play or movie we doing in class so for a first reading I simply replicated that performance. Like, “Butterflies are Free” starred Goldie Hawn. I was given one of her character’s monologues and I just did Goldie Hawn doing Jill Tanner. I could also do a good cold reading of something that was new to me but I was sensational if it was something I had seen performed.

I was talking about ‘sense of self’ with a friend, who like me, had a troubled and traumatic childhood (her way more than me, in my opinion). She still struggles with who she is (I know vague but let’s not get too personal here) and I couldn’t quite understand it and she remarked that I had such a strong sense of self, which was amazing given my background.

I think a lot of it has been acquired over time. One of the perks of getting old, you DO just stop caring what people think of you. Time is running out, you don’t have the luxury of playing mind games with people who don’t matter. Or even people who do matter (for that matter).

I once wrote about ageing and reverting to our essential selves.

I am Grace. Have I changed over and through the years. Oh yes, of course. I think back about who I was a various times, and I laugh. How did people put up with my young self, so positive about what was right and wrong. Oh my! Idealism run amok. So tedious.  So many things I was and then outgrew, or, just got older and wiser.

When the girls used to go out on the town, they always used a different name to fluff off guys. I could never think of another name for myself – I am, was, will always be, Grace.

I am still inventing other personas but they don’t stick. Because they aren’t me. They are aspects of me but I am only comfortable being ALL of who I am.

I know my good points, my bad ones. What I like, and don’t. I know when I’m acting badly, and sometimes I don’t care. When I do, I apologize. I know what I’m good at and I won’t hesitate to share that. I know what I’m not good at, and I just don’t do those things because why waste my time? I don’t like it, I don’t do it. I’m not here to please you.

That the life I am living right now is not the life I would prefer, I know. That it is in service to the well-being of another person, yes. Could I walk away? Yes. I have walked away from people and never looked back but not this time. this time I stick. Not sure why but that’s who I am. I don’t care what other people would think of me, I care what I would think of me. I do the right thing. And yes, sometimes knowing what the right thing is, isn’t hard to figure out.

I honestly believe that I am a person worth knowing, worth having in your life. You disagree? Fine, really fine. No one likes everyone but I also honestly believe the loss is yours. That’s not ego, that just knowing I am a good and worthy person.

I like me. I admire me. I have nothing but respect for me. I earned it. Big time. I am happy to be me!

I am Grace.

 

20 thoughts on “A little self-serving perhaps?”

    1. I have watched you grow into such an amazing woman. And perhaps my belief in you, your abilities, your strength, your wonderful and loving spirit helped a little in you becoming the lovely lady you are.

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  2. It would be a loss not to have you in my life! Your sense of self helped me when I was searching for who I was and who I wanted to be and for that I’ll always be grateful. Love you just the way you are, Grace!

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    1. Oh I remember those years, my love. Sometimes I just wanted to smack you right upside your head but you came shining through, in your time, at your pace. And perhaps that is my purpose, to believe with love, and give others a safe, warm place to stop along their journey.

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    1. Thank you. I didn’t mean for it to be inspiring, I wrote it for myself. I am so absolutely comfortable being me. I always was, if I allowed myself to be. Getting old, being out of the competition that so often is life. I don’t have to accommodate other’s expectations anymore. I don’t have to wear the masks.

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      1. Well, I guess sometimes when we write stuff for ourselves we accidentally inspire others. I took the link and read the other entry from another blog and enjoyed that one as well.

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  4. Also I wanted to add I really like this: “Time is running out, you don’t have the luxury of playing mind games with people who don’t matter. Or even people who do matter (for that matter).”
    This is something that I am presently beginning to get through my thick head. Although for me it’s less about “mind games” and more about misdirected desire.

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    1. Again, aging is wonderful. But you know, the process of growing, changing, acquiring wisdom and good sense, making a fool of oneself and learning from it, there is pleasure in that, in the moment, when the light bulb over your head goes on. And then it becomes cumulative – and hopefully, just the way you live your life – with grace for yourself.

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      1. Beautifully stated. On a lighter note, I’m still waiting for that sock puppet video whenever the right mood rolls around. Or shadow puppet or whatever you said before. The talking hands video, etc.

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  7. I like your conclusion about who you are now. I figure life is a process and we become who we need to be in each season/era/decade. Eventually we get to a point where we are just who we are, having experienced and explored other options.

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    1. We all wear masks to get along, to fit in, to not be in conflict with the demands of society. Lucky are those who are able to be their essential selves throughout their lives and not have to wait until they are out of the competition. Or perhaps that constant adjusting of selfhood makes it more clear who we really are. It’s nice to get to the point where one doesn’t have to hide in the shadows.

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  8. Hi Grace, I’m Angie… just Angie. I’ve seen you around Rory’s blog mostly, but something made head over to yours.
    I have written many of these same sentiments. It’s awesome being comfortable in my own skin.
    I’m happy to see others who are happy just being exactly who they are.🌻

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    1. If you’re lucky, smart and reasonably sane, hopefully there comes a time in your life when you say to yourself – Hey, this is who I am, this is the best me I can be and I like it”

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