Remember when you used to go on school field trips to the zoo? There was always that one exhibit where you were allowed to pet the animals, but maybe you were like me and were convinced by your frequent perusal of Discovery Kids shows that the instance in which you chose to pet the tamed creatures would be the one time they would act out.
Do you remember what the zookeeper used to say in response to your fear? It was probably something along the lines of "They're more afraid of you than you are of them." Maybe that gave you the confidence to pet the calm critters, or maybe you shook your head in disbelief and moved on to the next exhibit.
Maybe you still do that.
In the beautiful but fickle state of South Carolina, it is always wise to have an umbrella on hand. In an hour, the weather can (and will) go from sunny to rainy and back to sunny again.
I often find myself walking along our brick pathways as the rain pours down with my giraffe umbrella held high, wading through a sea of people carrying plain, black umbrellas. I can also see the occasional cute polka-dot pattern here or there, but, for the most part, everyone seems content to blend in.
Maybe you find it easier to blend in with the crowd than to pull out that wacky umbrella or rainbow tights or sparkly top — all of which you secretly love — without caring what other people may think or say. Maybe you harbor more fear of their opinions than you do confidence in your style, or even life choices.
Let me play the zookeeper for a moment: "They're more afraid of you than you are of them."
We as young women — and men — are hindered by our concerns about other people's opinions when, to be perfectly frank, they are likely worrying more about what you will think of them! If you let the thoughts of others control something as small as what you carry when it rains, what other, more important decisions will you let them control?
Break out of that mold! Be your own person with her own likes and her own style and her own opinions! The truth is that other people are far more likely to appreciate your uniqueness than they are to tear you down because of it. As for those who don't, that's their problem. And there's nothing you can do about it anyway, so why waste energy worrying about it?
We are supposed to build each other up and empower each other to pursue our dreams, not worry about the thoughts of those watching us.
So pull that corny umbrella of yours out of the closet and brandish it with pride! Just be careful not to spook the animals.
"Don't let fear keep you quiet. You have a voice, so use it. Speak up. Raise your hands. Shout your answers. Make yourself heard. Whatever it takes, just find your voice, and when you do, fill the damn silence." — Meredith Grey
