Life beyond labels, wouldn’t that be something? It’s not likely to happen considering that labels are such an integral part of our human experience. If I asked you to describe yourself it would probably be a long list of labels – mom, wife, marketing manager, dog lover, traveler, etc. Humans have a need to classify things. It helps us quickly determine if someone is a friend or foe, which used to be important for our basic survival. The only problem with that is that we associate qualities, stereotypes, and judgments with labels. Each of us creates our own beliefs about the labels, often influenced by media, religion, family values, and peer groups. Sometimes these labels are placed upon us, and sometimes we choose the labels.
Labels can limit our infinite potential. Even the ones we choose can be limitations if they carry with them a limiting belief. We’re unlikely to move beyond our labels, however, we can choose to redefine them! Are there any labels in your life that are limiting you? For me, middle age was not associated with being fit. Everyone jokes about getting older and everything hurts, and you are tired all the time, and your energy gets lower every day. Well, I’m a prime example of someone that chose to redefine that label. I didn’t want to just give in to the idea that I would become more slow and tired as I aged. I’m in far better shape today at 44 than I was in my early 20s. I wake up with a ton of energy, drink very little caffeine, look forward to working out every day, and those creaks and cracks that I started to feel in my joints in my 30s are long gone. Simply look to Ernestine, a lady in her 80s that became a weight lifter and serves as an inspiration to thousands of women. You are never too old to take control of your health.
I know all kinds of mothers that didn’t embrace the frumpy soccer mom lifestyle. In fact one mother I know is a burlesque showgirl, another takes pole dancing classes, and another is a sexy figure model. These ladies redefined their definition of mother to include being hot and sexy. So if you ever hear that voice in your head saying, “I’m too old; I would never have the courage to try that, or I could never …” then it’s time to start looking at the labels that you are allowing to limit your possibilities. Is it your age, your sex, your religion, your career, your orientation, your income, your family status, or something else that is causing you to believe you can’t do something? Look at all the ladies recently elected to Congress to see women that never let their sex, orientation, religion, or upbringing define who they would become.
Years ago I set a goal to become a world traveler. At the time I was a single mother, had a low income, and had no idea how I could redefine my life to include that, but I didn’t give up hope. It took me a few years, but now I’m happily married, have a steady income, and have multiple opportunities a year to travel with friends and family. I didn’t just let the lables in my life then limit me, and in fact, I added a label that I wanted. Take a minute to imagine how you would describe yourself to me if we met. What labels are you carrying around? What limits do you attach to them? Which labels could you redefine? Which labels would you like to add? Find the labels that feel good, try on a couple new ones, and redefine any that don’t bring you joy. You control your life, and you decide how your labels define you.
A life beyond labels might be impossible, but life beyond limits is within you! Be an inspiration for others by redefining and surprising others. And get out in the world and meet people with all different kinds of labels, you just might find we are all a lot more alike than we are different.
留言