Be A Peacock
💭Have you ever felt out of place to the point that you start adjusting to the environment even if it compromises who you are?
🤭I have… and for sure I paid a high price for compromising my essence to fit in...
💫Today I am moved to share a story as two of my friends this week shared too the need to change their drive and essence to fit in with their group…. You will hear what I was confronted with, what helped me to recover and what I gained from being myself regardless of the environment I am in.
👂Listening to my friends’ struggle, reminded me of my first years in the US; when I often was coached on becoming a “poker face” 🎭 to avoid showing too much my emotions. A common expectation in the corporate world. 🏢 I really tried… and tried… I will say it got a bit better but… people can still read me pretty well….🤔
Funny enough, I have to admit that for years I worked to be able to show my emotions. In university I often got the comment that I was always smiling and nobody could tell what was really going on with me. 🤷♀️That I did not look human and that I was missing out in connecting with people. See the paradox?🤨
Human beings will do many sacrifices in order to belong…. What helped me come to terms with this situation was the story of “A Peacock 🦚 in the Land of Penguins 🐧from B.J. Gallagher.” It is a book on inclusion and diversity… it really helped me realize the crazy adjustment I was attempting to execute… 🤪 Every one of us at our core are a peacock 🦚 with our uniqueness that makes us great. Penguins 🐧 in this story represent the comfortable environment created in companies, families and many other organizations. It is what brings to the group certainty and the rules to be accepted and belong. Giving into the group collective requirements at a cost of your identity will infringe in your capacity to become the best version of yourself. 🤐 With time, you may end up in a situation of unhappiness, frustration and not knowing who you really are.🤕🤢
I am talking from experience. Digging myself back to rediscover myself and create the courage to truly show who Maritza is, has been a worthwhile journey. 🥰🥰 The quality of my life has shifted significantly to live the life I want. I can say today, that ✨BEING ✨myself ✨has paid dividends on what I can contribute and how I show up in the world. 🌎 I have been able to discover and align to my passions and dreams. 😀 This has taken courage as many times I am out of the mold and get the funny looks…. 🧐 Working with my coach and through my personal development training I can finally say I feel comfortable on my skin. 🦋🦋 And that is the biggest gift we can give ourselves.✨✨
💫I want to challenge you to be a Peacock! 🦚 Show your uniqueness and greatness. 🦚 Find the environment where you can fully be yourself and can bring out the best version of yourself with ease and flow.💫