Impostor Syndrome, Who?

“Fake it til you make it.” My cousin, Jerry, taught me that! In today’s society that is what we would refer to as manifesting or acting “as if'' something has already happened. Either way I love it, not for its perceived negative connotations of being counterfeit or someone you’re not. I like it because it reinforces the idea that not believing yourself worthy enough to be in an arena is the world’s biggest downfall. It reinforces the notion that the world views itself through a very narrow frame that limits our beliefs in ourselves and our worth to that which only the eye can see. Instead of understanding that eventually in believing in yourself past the limitations of your mind, no matter how forced it may feel, you WILL make it. I am not exempt from this phenomenon of impostor syndrome –a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. Feeling inadequate because somehow my success does not look like someone else's or my lifestyle veered from the path set forth by my former self. “The buck stops here! ” I have come to a point in my life where I refuse to follow conventional norms or lanes already paved with gold. I would rather try out my version of success for a change. I am to remain confident that no matter where this new road takes me, the ultimate destination will be happiness; simply because I have created a life that I know I deserve. In paving this new road I must celebrate the work I have put in, the lessons I have learned, the pitfalls I have encountered and the grace I have allowed for my personal growth along the way. So honestly, impostor no more is what I proclaim! I deserve to be amongst the elite...HELL, I deserve to be the FIRST to do it, even if I stand alone. I deserve all that God has for me and it wasn't until I viewed myself through the lenses of grace and redemption that I was able to recognize the greatness within me. God didn't put us here to be fake but to be GREAT and there’s no better life for you than the one you CREATE!