Imagine living your whole life wishing you were someone/something else.

Waking up in the morning, looking in the mirror seeing your face then covering it up with the looks of someone you’ve seen in a magazine.

Suiting up in armor like a robot so no one can get close to you… and if they did, you’d never know if they loved you or the idea of who you hide behind.

Or do you have to imagine? Quite possibly, this is a familiar scene. Or is it one buried so deep you’re unaware you’re even doing it?  If none of these scenarios apply and you’ve lived 100% authentically everyday of your life, stop right here. Go to the comments and leave some pro tips.

For the rest of us, however, it’s important to recognize if you’ve been “Taking Lives”. Maybe not so extreme as in the movie with Ethan Hawke and Angelina Jolie, that has the tagline:

“He would kill to be you.”

But rather you’ve been innocently masquerading as anyone but yourself.  Maybe it’s easier to imitate what appears to work for someone else – but it denies the world the gift that only you were created to share.

If this is you, it’s time to resurrect your true self.

Start by writing about what allows you to stand out. Yes, even if you believe it’s weird.

Take inventory of your:

• abilities
• appearance
• beliefs
• body
• experiences
• perception
• sense of style
• skills/skill-Set

Answer these questions:

What is the one (or many things) you can do that comes to you as natural as breathing?

If you can’t think of anything off the top, then think of the things others ask you for help.

What did kids tease you about when you were younger? What do adults tease you about now? – Own it!

What is that one thing you do that you would do even if no one paid you, not even attention, to do it.

Can you trust yourself? Are you able to convince yourself, that you’re more than enough to live life as only you?

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but since You Live Only Once; Live it as an Original.