Wednesday, December 08, 2010

reverb10 day 8: beautifully different

Today's reverb10 prompt, from the immensely talanted writer and photographer, Karen Walrond:

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

This prompt has been in my mind all day. And as much as I would like to go on and on about what makes me beautifully different – I can’t think of anything. I know this is horrible – but I am way too self-deprecating to even pretend that I can list things about myself that “light people up. Getting to that point in your mind, feeling that level of self-worth – is something I think, at least for some people (including, clearly, me), that takes a lifetime to achieve.

I don’t hate myself or anything. I know I must have so.
me qualities that make people like me – perhaps make them think I’m different, in a good way – I have lots of friends who seem to want to hang out with me, so I understand I’m not terribly offensive or anything (at least, not to everyone). : )

I hope this is the only reverb10 post that I can’t answer. Frankly – it makes me kind of sad. Especially because I love Karen Waldron’s writing so much – and her new book, “The Beauty of Different,” is currently on my Amazon wish list.

I could list tons of reasons why I think YOU are beautifully different – I just can’t do it for myself.

(wow, what a “woe is me” response, huh?)

7 comments:

Dwayne "The Train" said...

I would have no problem with this prompt. I know exactly what makes me awesome and why people love me.

Amanda said...

Yes, Dwayne, I suspect you would be very good at this one.

Anonymous said...

I felt the same feelings you did! I think a lot of people struggled with this prompt, which is probably our sign that we need to embrace ourselves more and stop being so hard on ourselves.

betsyboo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
betsyboo said...

I think you are thinking too hard! I bet if you ask someone close to you to answer this question about you, they'd come up with TONS of answers ;-)

lgaumond said...

I was all prepared to swoop in and say, well of course you're beautifully different because...! But for some reason I can't put my finger on it. I'm not saying that you're boring or that you don't "light me up", it's just that there is no simple way of describing it.

It's your Amanda-ness that makes you different. Your sense of humor and the way you laugh. The incredible love and dedication that you put into things that, frankly, sound miserable to me, like directing a stage production or potty training a toddler. All of these things make up your Amanda-ness and make you different.

(I used my beautifully different powers of noticing to figure that out. I guess it does come in handy now and again.)

Stereo said...

I think probably, the fact that you couldn't think of anything is probably one of the things that make people love you - humble even when asked not to be :)