I am a firm believer that each person is gifted with unique personality traits. Although studies into different types and their struggles is interesting and helpful, I absolutely despise labeling people. It is that third party thing from the last post. We shouldn’t feel obligated to follow anyone’s narrative or labels.

When I was in fifth grade, I started out in the class for the smartest kids. My fourth grade teacher had confidence that I belonged there. But my high energy level caused a few teachers to gradually put me into the lowest class where I spent the time making trouble and learned how to be malicious from a couple kids there. When we moved and went into another school, the teachers were amazed and just loved how I would sing, make jokes and imitate people well. They had me c/o the school play with one of my imitations of a popular tv c/o. I earned straight A’s in all my classes. School was a blast for me. But it took people who appreciated the gifts in others.

We can miss out on good things in life when we allow others to define us. It is good to recognize our strengths and weaknesses but it is wrong to allow others to set the bar for us. We all have unique things that make us feel good and settle our minds. Most of the anxiety I experience in life comes from trying to conform to other people’s expectations. When it doesn’t work, I feel like a failure. But what if, as in the first class mentioned, the problem lies in their expectations? What if God gave us all unique personalities to be enjoyed at its fullest potential?