Leave Yourself Some Wiggle Room July 4, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.trackback

Cinderella fits the glass slipper. From left to right: Jaq, Gus, Suzy, Perla, the Grand Duke, Drizella, Anastasia, Lady Tremaine and Cinderella. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Forcing ourselves to conform to “the norm” is as futile as trying to shove a square peg into a round hole that’s (at least) two sizes too small.
Or like Drizella and Anastasia trying to fool Prince Charming as our toes and heels cry out in alarm:
Ouch!
Stop that!
You’re pinching me!
Step away from the knife!
Acceptance of our unique mix of qualities transforms life from a “struggle to fit in” to a well-tailored experience with a bit of “wiggle room in it.”
When we stop hiding who we are, we have more energy to become more fully who we want to be.
Free of confining constraints, we breathe a sigh of relief.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Liberating Thoughts on Liberty:
* He who trims himself to suit everyone else will soon whittle himself away. ~ Raymond Hull
* To be nobody but yourself (in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else) means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~ e.e.cummings
* Always remember that you don’t have to be what they want you to be. ~ Mohammad Ali
Happy Independence Day!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Just what I was thinking today 🙂
Glad it resonated with you! Be free!
It’s very true Nancy, and thank you for reminding us. Sometimes though it can be scary and it helps when we have supportive friends and families that nuture this.
It’s often close friends and family members who encourage us to conform, believing that conformity is the key to survival.
If we hear the beat of a different drummer, it is up to us to listen.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. ~ The Buddha
being happy in your own skin, eases the way to fulfilling your dreams!
Yes! When we know WHO we are . . . we know HOW to live. 😎
Happy 4th, Nancy!
Thanks! We just got back from the Privateer Pirates 4th of July Parade. ABC News interviewed us on camera about the meaning of Liberty. Saw fireworks at the beach last night, with the main show planned for tonight (if it’s not too soggy).
Have a Great Day! Feel Free. 😎
A great reminder Nancy. I don’t think there is a more courageous journey than the one growing in to who you truly are.
It’s such a relief when we finally give ourselves permission to “Just Be.”
If the shoe fits – run like mad, if you don’t want to be a princess! 🙂
Good point, Col. Being married to Prince Charming may require all manner of public appearance and engagement. Fine for Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. But not for everyone.
So true, Nancy. Happy 4 July! 😀
Thanks, Dianne. We’re having a great time ~ we saw fireworks at the beach last night, a parade this morning, ate veggie dogs and watermelon for lunch, and plan to attend the B~I~G fireworks display tonight . . . if it’s not too soggy.
Happy Independence Day, Nancy. It’s all about having the integrity to be yourself.
Thanks, Kate! It’s been a great celebration. We collected lots of “pirate booty” along the parade route ~ beaded necklaces, candy, gum, small toys, gold doubloons, etc. Then, we gave all our loot away to 3-4 tiny tots at the drug store. They were thrilled . . . and less clutter and calories for me. 😎
Nancy, a message is coming through to me loud and clear this evening… BE INDIVIDUAL!
The last three, completely unrelated posts I’ve read have pointed to the very same thing.
I never ignore the signs.
Hope you’re having a good day! Happy July 4th!
That is AWESOME! I love it when the Universe sends messages through loud and clear like that . . . here’s to listening to the winks, whispers, and nudges of our internal G.P.S.
And Thanks! It’s been a FUN 4th. We have thunderstorms in the area now, but they are supposed to leave the area in time for fireworks at the beach.
This post is so timely for me. And I could have a long conversation with you about it. I am who I am at almost 62. After a full Sunday with CH’s Mom(and 39 years with her and varying years with the rest of the family)when will I stop feeling guilty about who I am and not feel bad that I don’t fit their idea of who I should be? And when will I quit feeling like I have to defend the things they think are true about me when they don’t really know me because someONE hasn’t heard the truth of me. When will I stop feeling bad and guilty that they are not my cup of tea? More than a few of them drive me to distraction! I know, I need to let it go. Is it about acceptance at any price. I can’t do it. It must be important to me for them to accept me or I wouldn’t be typing this right now. Remember Nancy, for me it is important what others, SOME others think of me.. 🙂 Rhetorical questions, no need to respond.. 😀 Ah, I feel better.
Glad you had a nice 4th. CH and I did too.. 🙂
Thanks, Pix. Wanting to be liked and accepted is natural for social animals. That’s not the problem.
Problems arise when what THEY think of us becomes more important than what WE think of us because we are using an “external barometer” that is, of necessity, based on inaccurate, outdated, and insufficient information (all filtered through a dirty lens).
They do not and cannot know the truth of us.
I have found this to be the biggest benefit of getting older – I really don’t care what others might want me to be – I’m free!!!
It is liberating, isn’t it? 😀
Isn’t this the truth! More and more I realize that being at all concerned with conformity drains me of energy I can’t afford to lose! 🙂 I love the e.e.cummings quote. I’ve never heard that one before!
Thanks, Debra. Being authentic recharges our batteries because we’re plugged into our inner power, our essential selves.
That’s a great quote. It can be a struggle to maintain our footing when we march to the beat of a different drummer.
So true. Who needs that glass slipper anyway?
Exactly. We have way too many shoes lurking about the closet as it is.
I couldn’t agree more, and I am particularly impatient with those who feel the need to ostracize people for not being like everyone else.
Anytime we use someone else as a yardstick, our measurement is apt to be skewed.