It's Nice to Feel Accepted

Doing YOu

(me and Whitney Blueberry 'doing us' with Born This Way tracks @ a South Reston drinking appointment)

I'm totally aware this photo is not flattering. #that'snotwhatit'sabout.

YO

We listen to rap, thus we've invariably heard the phrase "do you". Sometimes it's via "Imma do me" or "Imma get mine". At first listen this phrase connotes selfishness, or a blatant disrespect for others. On the contrary, "doing you" is about having fun, and respecting your animal self. When you do you, you allow others to do the same. In South Reston, we know 'doing you' is a gift and we respect individuals who decide to love themselves regardless of the consequences:

i.e.

"Anissa took a shot and just danced by herself in front of all these single dudes at the bar, she was just doing her"

"Yo I saw this old bitch walking around with so many tracks, she looked so good." (i.e. doing her)

"Yo Imma let you finish, but it ain't enough." (the 'do you' is implicit)

Take a moment today to recognize the best way you can "do you". It's liberating to be honest about how you feel, and people will respect you for it. "Doing you" today might mean being 20 minutes late to work because you got in line at the busiest Starbucks you know of to get iced coffee. It might mean crafting in doors despite the beautiful weather.

The great Marianne Williamson once said:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Good One.