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“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E. Cummings

I recently read this post by Donna Middleton that echoed my life so closely that it felt as if I had written the blog post myself.  I am always on a search to better myself.  I want to understand who I am, what I value and what is my purpose.  It seems simple but it is not always easy, especially when you have lived most of your life trying to please others.

I have spoken before about the image I always wanted to present to the world and how that image really broke me at one point.  The crack and annihilation of that image was for the best.  It’s much easier just to be open, honest and accept that my character is extremely flawed and that I do not always make the best decisions.

So in reading Donna’s post, I really liked the questions she came to ask herself and I wanted to share those with all my followers who are still in search of their identity.  I am still on the quest myself so we can definitely make this journey together.

5 Questions to Discover Who You Are and What Will Make You Happy (feel free to click on this title to read Donna’s full post as I am only including the questions that really resonated with me.)

1.  What or who would you be if you knew you couldn’t fail?
   This question really hit home for me.  If you can eliminate all the noise of so called success, the American Dream and what is supposedly normal.  I believe you can easily answer this question truthfully and be well on your way to finding your purpose and happiness.  For me, this question has really mapped out the direction that I intend to take my writing and the destination I want to ultimately arrive.
2. What are your core personal values?
   There was a time when I had no idea what I truly valued, but that was long before I became a mother.  Recently, my values have evolved to not be so isolated and only include my children.  I now wholeheartedly value my family; my all encompassing family – not just a select few.  However, my values do not stop there nor should yours.  There’s a lot more to values than simply family.  Maybe you value peace of mind, maybe you value financial security or maybe you value the freedom to do whatever you like whenever you like.  I believe it is imperative you identify your values and stick to them.  Do not allow anyone or anything to cause you to sacrifice your values.
3. If money were no object, how would you live your life differently?
   Here I agree with Donna, this question is not and should not be about money.  This is about your desires.  Maybe you would start your own business, maybe you would travel the world or maybe you would simply go on an endless shopping spree.  The point is, what would you aspire to if you had no limits, no constraints, no restrictions?  This question really opened my eyes and I saw the Mara that I long to be not the Mara that is confined by the necessities of the day to day.  It is very enlightening!

So who are you?  What are your dreams?  Do you have the courage to follow them?  What confines you and can you break those bonds?

Take the time to learn who you are, what you want and find the courage to become that person.  Life is too short to be anyone but who you are meant to be.

~ Mara Prose