I am me. With all my quirks, inadequacies, faults, and mistakes. You don’t know the half of them.
But I was timid, and intimidated. For a number of years. But I’m breaking free, and by example, I’m teaching others how to as well.
Even today I am forgetful. My car keys, at least two days out of the week.
But I remember a lot. Friends’ birthdays, parents’ anniversaries, feelings, emotions.
Throughout life, I recognize that I am strong. From physical strength to mental acuity, I persevere despite challenges and setbacks.
I have an influence. For better or for worse – my students, my friends, my neighbors.
One way I influence others is by being generous. With my time, my finances, and my outlook on life. And learning more about it every day.
I am inquisitive. I drink knowledge in – about the world, about others around me, about new places and experiences.
I am genuine. Or try my best to be. I value this quality in others and therefore strive to embody it myself.
I am a leader. Leaders are not born; leaders are made. Leaders are influencers who have recognized the consequences of their influence and take responsibility for it.
As a leader, I build up, I don’t tear down. A mantra I try to live by every day.
As I build others up, I see the future. I want to leave this world better than when I came in it. I want to always leave people better than I found them, which comes from a deep truth:
I am loved. By God, by friends, by family. Every day, this truth awakens in me a desire to go forth and pursue my life’s purpose day by day.
All of this said, I am me. Without guilt, without regret, without parameters. Even with my quirks, inadequacies, faults, and mistakes; I will be made better by them.
Girls on the Run International and Say It Forward are committed to the empowerment of girls everywhere. We believe that every girl has an important story to share – a story of determination and perseverance, a story that can inspire others to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that keep them from reaching their fullest potential. We are also committed to empowering the women who invest their time and energy in these girls.
We invite you to share your story at Say It Forward and to keep in touch with us via Twitter and Facebook — Girls on the Run International Facebook and Twitter. All stories written by girls are shared with the permission of a parent or guardian. Girls’ first names only are posted with their stories.