What is my purpose?
And, how do I define myself?
I started pondering this dilemma when I discovered an old photograph my Mum never got around to pinning on the wall when we moved house some five years ago. It's a picture of my high school netball team. Featured are my classmates, myself (obviously) and my Mum - our stoic coach. Contemplating that picture I began to recall how I would have described myself back then: run of the mill high school student, average netball player, devoted ballerina and contemporary dancer, friend, sister, daughter, the list goes on. Back then I didn't believe there was anything exceptional about me. I was just like every other kid in high school; anchorless, a paper cut-out of a human wafting wherever the wind might take me.
It took me a few years to realise that I have the power to define myself. I can be whoever I want to be. If I want to be an environmentalist, a surf-pro or an internationally recognised ballroom dancer; I have the power to make that happen. I don't have to follow the status quo and I certainly don't have to fit anyone's cookie cutter mould. In fact, I think we can all agree the most intriguing people we meet in life are those who break all the rules. I'll get up at 5:30am in the morning to bake a carrot cake but I can also be found dancing behind the bar at the dirtiest pub in town well after last drinks have been called. Life's a whole lot more fun when you make your own rules.
Right now my Instagram bio reads 'keeping it candid and colourful' while you'll find the left-hand side of this webpage reads 'writer, wanderer, wine-lover, yogi, girls-girl and free spirit'. My CV mentions my education and qualifications so I guess you could call me a professional communicator (thank you, Bachelor of Communications) and certified CPR provider although I hope I never have to use that one. My friends and family would describe me as bright, bubbly and a little bit too happy. It's all a matter of perspective. But what's most important is that I believe in myself, my abilities, my passions and I choose what defines me.
You do you, and you define you.
x Abbie
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