Part of the puzzle..

Why is it so hard to fit in? As human beings we often find ourselves longing to be a part of something.. Something bigger, something better... For a fortunate few, it is easy.. It's easy to fit in. For others, it is a constant struggle to be accepted. Or is it a constant struggle to accept ourselves?

I'm back in that familiar territory again.. Back to feeling like I don't fit in.. On the surface it seems like every time I involve myself in anything, I bring my own special qualities, as is the case with any person. You have a talent or trait, for which you are accepted and appreciated.. But after a while the novelty wares off, and your "special something" just becomes something that you do, or something you are. All of a sudden it goes from being appreciated, to expected, and then taken for granted. By the end, it (you) are completely overlooked. So now I've got that feeling again... Just like back in school, at home, or where I used to work.. Trying so hard to fit in, by just being me.. Not pretending, just being the "odd-ball".

Some people accept you for who you are, whilst others expect you to conform to their standards and way of life before you can fit in. It is only then that we are really tested.. God made us in His image.. So... in order to fit in, are we willing to change who we are, how we were created, just to be accepted? From someone who has always had a hard time fitting in, sometimes that doesn't sound like a bad idea... Change your style or your sense of humour to be noticed and accepted? No big deal...

But it is a big deal.. God made me the way I am. I was raised a certain way, and I believe in what I believe, because I know it is right. Deep down, something inside of me will not change.. This is who I am.. One thing I know is that it is impossible to be accepted, or to be loved, or even to be able to love.. if you are unable to accept and love yourself. I guess that's where I fall short.. You cannot be accepted, by your friends, your family, or anyone else, if you cannot accept yourself, and accept that you were made the way you are, and that you don't fit in perfectly, because if you did, you wouldn't stick out.. And if you do not stick out, you will never be noticed.. How tragic would it be if an amazing, unique piece of God's work went un-noticed by the world?? If anyone can ever derive anything from this, just be yourself.

Don't try and be special, you are special, so just be exactly that! Now to try and practise what I preach..