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Depending on where a chameleon is, it will change its colors and appearance to fit in with its perpetually changing surroundings.
It happens so constantly and quickly that the chameleon never actually has time to go back to an original color—since it is always trying to appear as something it’s not.
Chameleons can be like people-- more specifically like us, teenagers.
Some of us are as uncertain about ourselves as an ever-changing chameleon.
Altering who we are simply to fit within the conditions of certain circumstances.
Why do so many teens have such a challenging time just expressing their true selves no matter what others may say or think?
Why do we, one of the most rebellious age groups, find it so hard not to rise above common stereotypes and misjudgments people give us?
Why?
The famous children’s book author, Eric Carle, wrote a book called: The Mixed -Up Chameleon.
The storybook is about a chameleon that changes its behavior and outer appearance to match that of others around it merely to fit in.
It only sees the perfection in others and the flaws in itself. It’s blinded to how beautifully unique it actually is.
After a long time of trying to alter itself to fit the mold of others, the chameleon realizes that being itself is the most natural, most stress-free, most rewarding thing it can be.
Just like the chameleon, many teens, go through a phase entitled, “Lack of self-confidence, and misinterpretation of uniqueness.”
This phase is common and will remain present until we decide to overcome it.
We live in a world where being different and unique is sometimes frowned upon and classified as someone being plain odd and unacceptable.
The challenge of being unique is being able to remain comfortable in your own skin, regardless of any outside opinions.
To capture the reward of being yourself means a person has to be able to stay strong at his or her best moment and remain strong at the worst moments.
This requires that we remind ourselves that we are awesome because we are different; our uniqueness is what makes us vibrantly stand out from everyone else.
It’s much better to be remembered for an outstanding action such as being who we are no matter what, than for just merely fitting in with everyone else and never straying away from the “norm.”
While it will take some getting used to, in the end, being ourselves will give us the most happiness.
So starting now let’s promise to give ourselves what we deserve. Let’s not let another year pass us by without being our true selves!
2011 will be the year we learn how much better it is just to be comfortable with ourselves.
It is not anyone else’s year, so let’s not live our lives for anyone else.
It’s your year, so live it up for you and only you!
Written by:
Danielle M. Biggs, High School Senior ~ College Bound...
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader & school district administrator who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View other published works at http://www.examiner.com/. Contact Sharon directly for more information: smbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org. "Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)
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