this is me.

{source}

this quote struck me. lots of people have written posts inspired by it.

but it's so profound. 

it's been proven true time and time again in my own life.

i think the first time i remember starting to compare myself to others was in my

beauty pageant, show choir & theater days.

{my eyes are closed but i had to post it cuz they made t-shirts...SO cute}


there was always someone who sang better, had a smaller waist or bigger boobs, or had an evening gown with more bling.

i certainly did not think i fit the 'mold' of a beauty queen.

but learned that i just had to be confident being me. quirky, short haired me.

i learned to love my short hair.
 but there have certainly been days when i still compare myself
 to the flowing locks of my female friends.

{my ever changing hairstyles}

another area in my life where comparison has come into play is being in a biracial marriage.

through marrying my sweet j, there are many settings where i am the 'lightest' person in the room. 

but i don't have to change who i am.

i am confident in who i was created to be. 

many of my close friends don't look like me. 

but it certainly won't get me anywhere trying to compare myself to them.
and alter who i am based on my surroundings.

i am not a chameleon...and that's freeing.

this is me.

i'm quirky. i sometimes say what's on my mind before thinking it through.

i will sing my guts out. no matter who is watching. 

i'm goofy and 'weird.'

...but i am free to be ME.

you were born an original, don't die a copy.
-c.chilton

♥erica