You are here to be you!

Several weeks ago my friend, Don Rappenecker, asked me "Do you know why you are here?"  I responded quickly, "To make a difference".  He said, "No, it's bigger and simpler that that.  You are here to be you!  No one else can be you!"  I spend alot of time with people and even more time with myself and I have been trying to wrap my head around what that statement means to me. 
I have wasted a horrendous amount of time in my 43 years trying to be like someone else...wishing that I was a better wife, mom, teacher, friend, musician...like someone I know.  Don't get me wrong...having role models is a great thing...but I have to be true to the person that I was made to be!  My teaching style is unique to me, my relationships are "out of the box" (more on that in another blog!), and my musicianship is improving with every practice session.  I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) with a special purpose here on this earth.  There have been times in my life when I think "This is what I'm here for...this is why I was created!"  I love those times!  They give me purpose and encouragement and a reason to go on being me!
However, there should always be room for growth and change and improvement in my life.  I have come to like and even love the person I am, but I am far from perfect.  There will always be opportunities for improvement...there is always something to learn, and I have chosen to be a life-long learner.  Last week, I started piano lessons because I want to play piano.  I will never be a concert pianist, but I am determined to enjoy the process of learning!  If only I could extend that to other parts of my life...enjoying the learning process!
I must be willing to give others the grace to be themselves.  I'm so thankful for the people in my life who love me just as I am!  We all have different gifts and talents for the world.  That is what makes relationships wonderful...no one else is exactly like me and I am not exactly like anyone else.  We should appreciate our differences, add to one another, support one another, and accomplish amazing things together!  Each one of us is "fearfully and wonderfully made" to do something awesome and be a part of a bigger purpose!  I challenge you (and me) to be you...no one else can do it!