Confidence: Let's Talk About It

Yeah, let's talk about it. I'm going to be honest in saying that after living in Los Angeles for a few years now, I've come across many practices of confidence. To play with a few examples, some people exude in what they wear, how they talk, how they approach and treat people, or how they hold themselves in a conversation. Others sometimes express it introspectively through intellect, maybe in school or in their writing, possibly in their paintings or drawings, or in the photographs they take that visually expresses the confidence of their subjects. Either way, confidence is such an important aspect of who you are and greatly impacts the way you live life. I've had my spells of self-doubt and consciousness of course, as anyone has, but if there's anything I've learned about confidence throughout my life it's this:

Confidence:

Confidence is smiling when the rest of the world is scowling.
It's choosing to be the light when everyone else stands in the dark. 
It's being kind even when they say you get nowhere by being nice. 
Confidence is using every word and breath you have expressing what you believe, and understanding you're saying it for a reason - not just to be heard or to get a word in. 
Confidence is being silent while listening. While learning.
It's when you know you don't know everything, and are willing to admit it and grow. 

Confidence is forgiving, but understanding you don't need those who hurt you or held you back in your life moving forward.
Confidence is knowing you are enough and not settling for less than the life you want to create. 
It's leaving when there is no more room to grow. In love and in life. 

Confidence is when you look in the mirror, even on the days when you're feeling your worst, and looking deeper than what's on the outside. Even so, you recognize those sparkling eyes of yours, you say, "dang my hair looks pretty good today," or "Wow, I have a killer smile."
Confidence is not comparing yourself to others - because they're so awesome being them, and you're just as awesome at being you.

Confidence is staying positive even in the darkest of times and knowing that everything is going to be okay. 
It's doing what you love and knowing you might not make a lot of money right away, but you will, because your passion will drive your success. 
It's doing what you love even though it might go against what those you love want you to do. 
Confidence is knowing that everyone is so beautifully different and gifted, and others' gifts might not be your own, and nor yours, theirs - but that's what makes the world so great. Someone might be a phenomenal hunter or mechanic, and that's what they're good at and will pursue, all the while someone will lead their life baking, or being a vet, or gardening, while you make your dream of singing come true - because that is your gift and that is the purpose you're meant to serve - just like that hunter and mechanic, and everyone else in the world is serving theirs.

Confidence is understanding you can't be good at everything. And that's fun! 
Confidence is knowing your purpose and moving up the ladder to fulfill it every day. 
It's doing the right thing when no one and everyone is looking. 
It's standing up for others when no one else will. 
Confidence is being a leader, not a dictator. 
It's understanding that failure is imminent, but trying your best anyway. 
Confidence is going with where your gut and heart are guiding you, even though it may sound insane to everyone else. Even though they say it won't work. 

It's knowing you're so incredibly special in this world, and so is everyone else,
but no one can ever be you. 
No one can ever do what you do the way YOU do it. 
No one can ever speak the way YOU do with the heart, the intellect, the word choice...
No one can write like YOU do, or paint like YOU do, or sing exactly like YOU do. 

So no matter what, confidence shouldn't be a question, because allowing yourself to be who you are is all you'll ever need. 




XOXO

Mary Gabrielle Strause