The Real You with Blair Reynolds

Who inspires you the most?

Are they a public figure? A politician? An artist? A singer? A civil rights activist? The leader of a nation? Was it the Son of God?

Who was the first person to jump into your head? And why did you chose him or her?

Somehow, this person must move you emotionally. There is something about their character, or actions, that inspire you.

In our culture—and most cultures for that matter—we get it wrong. We are so busy trying to “become someone” that we completely lose sight of simply “being someone.” We are striving to “find ourselves,” instead of surrendering to our God-given design.

I have an inherent belief that people are made well. God is not a second-rate designer, and we are the apex of his beloved creations. Astoundingly, unbelievably, he even went so far as to make us “in His image.” It’s simply unfathomable when you stop to consider such a privilege.

And if you would fast-forward a thousand years, when you are in Heaven, do you think you’ll still have “anxiety, stress, fears, addictions, poor self-esteem?” Of course not! All of those aspects of our lives are temporary. They aren’t a part of our true identity.

So if we were made well, and the eternal parts of us are incredible, it means our struggles are a temporary mask we wear while we are living our few days out on this Earth.

If that is the case, do you think we might have the ability to remove the “mask” of perceived brokenness in this life? In my opinion, the answer is a definitive yes. I don’t even believe removing the mask is complicated...but I do believe it is terrifying. I believe it is the most terrifying transition a person can make.

By removing the mask, you are revealing who you really are to the world. There’s no insulation from the world’s rejections and assaults. When you are hurt, there is no protection from it. When you share your “gift” with the world, you will have judges and critics who won’t approve.

On the other hand, you will be truly living. You will be allowing yourself to leave the chrysalis and take flight. You will be inviting people into loving you as a person...not you as a performance.

You will naturally become a fork in the road. You will inspire some and intimidate others. The more present you become, the more powerful you’ll become. The more powerful you become, the more divisive you will be. Jesus was the most divisive person in history. People either wanted to kill him or die for him. He didn’t promise unity. In fact, he promised the opposite.

Many of you are slumbering giants. You’re meant for greatness, but are afraid of the spotlight. You’re meant to shine, but you don’t want to outshine others. You want to change the world, but are finding how resistant the world is to change.

Know this. Your “playing small” doesn’t do anyone any favors. You slowly suffocate from a less-than-radical life, and everyone feels comfortable around you. But that’s not what you were designed for. You were designed to challenge, inspire, to disrupt, to confront, and to cause emotions to surge to the surface in others.

Think back to the person who inspires you the most. Did they compromise who they were, or did they embrace their uniqueness? Did they allow themselves to be seen, and known, and rejected, and celebrated? Did others feel comfortable around them? Or did they challenge those around them?

Just like the person who inspires you, you will have to embrace your true nature in order to live a remarkable life. You can live a “normal life,” and there’s nothing wrong with that. But you weren’t designed for normal. You were meant to be someone who inspires.

The question is, are you willing to let the real you be seen?

Blair likes coffee. He also likes water...when it has been poured through a filter of coffee grounds. Over the last several years, he's been a hybrid business and life consultant to hundreds of individuals and organizations. He brings a sense of humor to working with people, so that they can grow without the traditional pain of "getting emotionally well." He is the founder of LifeConsultingCourse.com, Co-Host of The Liberation Project, helped to create Entrepreneur Academy, and has his own Life Consulting practice. Apparently, he likes working. He also likes swimming...and Twix.