Rising Out of the Dust

“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson



Today's world we are sold on change. Our nearly former president won an entire campaign on that premise. Our daily lives are filled with the idea that we can and should change who we are. So I am here to tell you that its all a lie. I am sorry, but you are who you are.



However, do not lose hope! I still believe you can change, but just in a different way than you may think. So here are my steps to making the most of yourself.



Step one to this change is probably the most difficult of all. SELF EVALUATION. Since we are unable to really change what makes us we have to recognize what cards we are playing with. What attributes we have both positively and negatively. This is so difficult for three reasons. It is difficult to "find the time" to just sit back and really reflect. With technology and the busy lifestyles that we lead it is just hard to take that time. Once we do take the time most people are either over critical or under critical in this evaluation. No one is perfect. We all have flaws so find them! Though you have flaws there are some positives in you as well so do not forget to find those as well.



Step two is pretty simple. Now that we know what our strengths and weaknesses are we need to learn to exploit them. How can you put yourself in a situation in frequently use your strengths and hide or push to the side your negative attributes. Personally I am a lazy S.O.B. If i am given the opportunity I will sit back on my laurels. That is why when I am the most busy I am at my best. If i do not give myself the chance to be lazy then I allow for my attributes of competitiveness and problem solving to shine through.



Besides being more successful by living this way I think it is a true key to happiness. When I give in to my weaker traits I seem to get stuck in a rut. I seem to be sad more often and hide away in my own self pity. When I am acting on my positive traits I am happier and really giving off happy energy to those around me.



We all have different strengths. Look at some of the most successful people in the world. Most have plenty of flaws. How may billionaires couldn't even finish school? How many saints and martyrs that you read about were not good people for most of their lives. It is never too late to change. It is never too late to become a better you.



So today, do what you are good at and share that gift that is you with others. Be a diamond and rise out of the dust.