The Assessment

When you’re in the midst of a storm (storms that life sometimes bring) you have to make an assessment, a self assessment.  Take inventory of all the things that you have and the things that are required to get you through it.  This is an evaluation of your character, your perseverance, your goals, your habits, and a gamut of other things that may be required for your storm.  One of the most important assessments is that of those around you, your inner circle.  If you don’t have one, think of the people you talk to most and those with whom you spend the most time.

In recent conversations with a few people, I heard them speak louder than ever in their silence.  The silence spoke doubt and reeked of judgement.  It’s crazy, the closer I look at my surroundings it makes me ever so aware of who I really am.  A girl with a dream and no drive?  A woman with talent and excuses to match?  A person wasting away trying to keep up with the Kardashians or the Jones’…you pick.  Or maybe, just maybe I’m in a delusional competition…one in which my competitors aren’t even aware that I’m in the game.

On occasion, I find myself asking people what kind of person they think I am?  I remember a time where I didn’t care what anybody thought.  In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter…but it does.  No matter what you do or how you do it someone is going to judge you, not agree, criticize, request or expect more.  However, the energy you receive is also the energy you exude.  See, it’s not about acceptance or approval.  It’s about doing the things that you enjoy, and give you purpose.  It’s about creating the best life for yourself.  It’s about surrounding yourself with people and things that will help you reach your potential.  While it doesn’t really matter what people think about you.  It does matter what they think about themselves and how they weather their own storms, and it’s subsequent impact on you.

As you complete your assessment ponder this: Am I the person I intend to be?  This is not a question about how kind and considerate you are.  This is a question about WHO you are and what you want out of life.  In your quest to become the person you intend to be consider your own drive and motivation as well as that of your inner circle.  Think about the what and WHO are required in your time of storm. Your inner circle must consist of people who possess the traits and characteristics of the person you intend to be.  If not, you’re going to need more than an umbrella to weather that storm.