Living Authentic

Self-Portrait:  Tamarah Ellen

You will be a much happier person when you allow yourself to be yourself. Be authentic.  When I was young, it was very confusing as I was learning to know myself, and not to compare myself with others. I wanted to fit in, yet years later, I learned that this was not a good thing to try to do.  If you can’t be who you were destined to be, then why are you here?

 Today, due to the internet, we have hawk-eyes judging our every move. We are judged the minute we disagree with someone else, or dress differently, judged by our age, judged by how we speak, how we look, how we choose to live, etc. Whenever I feel judged, I remember that I am special and that God’s approval is all I need. Today, I have observed and researched that even when I mention God, for instance, I receive less response, as I am judged for it. It doesn’t bother me, for I know who I am and I know WHO I belong to.  I’ve never shamed anyone for their lack of faith, and in fact, over the years, the majority of my friends have little or no faith. There were two who would often make fun of my faith. It didn't stop me. 

Self-Portrait:  Tamarah Ellen

When you learn to stop caring about what others think of you, you will live in your authentic self. You will not have to work to impress anyone.  Why do you want to impress people who judge others? No one is perfect, and the best way to survive this chaotic world is to be yourself. If being yourself is evil, however, or constantly expressing hate or violence, then you do need to check yourself.  

Life isn’t a popularity contest.  If you are a believer, God determines your destiny and has the final say.  I often remind myself that being different is unique. Unique is beautiful. I’ve worked hard on myself, which means I have made many sacrifices in life. I have had to be selective of who I spend time with and who inspires me.  I don’t want to be around jealous people or those filled with anger and hate. I don’t want to be like most people I see on social media who are in rage. I also don’t want to be with people who aren't authentic and are obviously trying to impress others rather than being themselves. I don’t need to impress; I would rather inspire and move people to become better, step into their dreams, or work hard on being real rather than fake. 

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen  |  Model:  Presley

I’ve worked with many people who don’t think like me, and I only know this by what they post or share with me. I celebrate them quite a bit. I put time and energy into celebrating them, for I know that it is the path I choose. I don’t want to be like most people who cannot be civil to those with opposing views. I also do not like snobbish people, never have.  Some have betrayed me, and while I am human, I am still nice to them should I run into them. I know that puts me in a better place. I don’t want to be a part of their hate. I still admire their work, and I celebrated them in the best way I could.

Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen  |  Desmond and Vivian 

What you need to remember is that you will never please everyone all of the time, even your spouse. What if you turned on your spouse the minute they disagreed with you? You would live an empty, lonely life. Some of the things I’ve heard people say about their spouse or about people they call friends are shocking.  We’ve all said something behind someone’s back when we are hurt. But is that who we want to be?  I don’t. I ask for forgiveness and move back to working on myself.  I like me, and it took a long time to get there. I love me!  Me is what I know to be! 😉 I don’t want to worry about being perfect, for I know that isn’t possible. I also know I will never please everyone, and there will always be jealous or mean people out there. There are also very good people in this world. Keep on rocking it and moving forward! 

Tamarah Ellen

Self-Portrait:  Tamarah Ellen