For as long as I can remember, I’ve been attacked just for being me.
How I walk, talk, and dress. Being a black kid from North Dakota. Or, just being from North Dakota period. Being a single parent kid. How I play basketball. How I play the organ. The fact that I like wrestling or even the music I love. Somebody somewhere always has something negative to say. It’s not a bunch of people. However, life knows how to place the loudmouths in your path when you need them least.
You probably know what I’m talking about.
If you live long enough, then you’ll run into those people who love to talk. And you’ll be their favorite subject. Nothing you do will ever be right. If it is right, then there’s a grandiose story of how they did it better. I was surrounded by this mindset when I was in college. I was a favored target for some because (insert reason). You name it, and they made fun of it. It was so bad with one particular “friend” that I literally dreaded seeing him after sophomore year summer break.
Who has time for that mess?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my short 32 years it’s this:
Absolutely no one on this Earth defines you.
Many times we let little statements about us define how we see ourselves. In reality, the person consistently pointing all of your out flaws may be projecting their insecurities. I’ve been around plenty of people like this. It took me a long time to understand their criticisms of me amount to nothing. I am who I am because God has blessed me and carried me through.
It was a long road getting here, but I know who I am. I know what defines me, and there’s not a person on Earth that can make me waver.
What defines you?
A Fresh Voice 
I am defined by the principles and values my parents instilled in me, by the lessons I have learned from past mistakes, by personal triumphs I have experienced, by my purpose in the will of God.
I enjoyed your post Jarrod, it really made me stop and think about how I became the person I am today.
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Pastor was preaching on the same thing this Sunday. People do not define your destiny. We need to know who we are. When others come running their mouth against us it does not bother me because I know who I am. Jesus knew who He was. I am following His example.
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