(This is day 12 of my 31 day blog series: Live Free. )
Today’s topic: Free from labels. Free from labels. Free from labels. Yay!
I cannot live free if I live under an umbrella of labels.
Labels come in all shapes and sizes and they come from various sources throughout our lives. People label us. Labels come and labels go. And often times labels stick and affect our ability to believe for more for ourselves. Labels limit us.
So what are labels? Here’s a start:
Loser. Goofball. Gypsy. Redneck. Hillbilly. Yuppy. Old. Young. Immature. Flirt. Popular. Nerd. Dumb blonde. Athlete. Liar. Thief. Murderer. Skinny. Fat. Artist. Accountant. Musician. Student. Teacher. Scientist. Mom. Grandpa. Single parent. Retired. Smart. Dumb. Prodigy. Black. White. Hoarder. Clean freak. Misfit. Homeless. Shy. Drug addict. Slow learner. Teacher. Handicapped. Religious. Liberal. Conservative. Republican. Democrat. Friendly. Shy. Easy going. Bipolar. Stuck up. Weird. Middle-class. Poor. Rich.
The list of labels is endless, whether positive or negative. Unfortunately, we often believe our value is connected with our labels. So if we hold positive labels, we may feel more important than someone with negative labels. But is that true? No.
Labels are one way to classify and describe people, but are they beneficial? Maybe. In certain situations, I can see some purpose. But for me, labels complicate my life. If I cling to a label, it can have too much power over me and become my identity. For example, “I’m a writer.” Well what if some day I’m not one, what happens then? I could have an identity crisis if I allow “writer” to attach to my self worth. Do I become less of a person if I lose a label? No. But for that reason alone, I don’t like them. And then there are ugly labels like “loser”, should I cling to that label and allow “loser” define me and hinder my future? No way. Never. But some people do and that’s sad.
Labels never equal our worth. People have the same value (determined by God), whether labeled positive, labeled negative, or not labeled at all.
My name is Tiffany.
No extra label required, thank you.
Living label-free helps me live with an open heart and mind.
Living label-free helps me rest.
Living label-free keeps me flexible and free.
And if you’re going to attach a label to me, here’s my choice:
Redeemed, beloved child of God
All other names are meaningless. Plus I doubt God cares about labels, so why should I?
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height,
for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Q4U: How do you handle being labeled? Please share in the comments on my blog OR stop by my Facebook page.
(If you missed any of 31 days Live Free series, find them all listed here: 31 day blog series: Live Free. )
(To find out more about the over 1,400 bloggers writing this month of October. Visit The Nester. I guarantee someone is writing on a topic that interests you! The variety is amazing!! And if you’re on Twitter, look for us by the hashtag #31days.)
PS I offer life coaching for women who want more wonder out of life. Please visit my “coaching” tab and contact me so we can talk about your wonder-full life.. I’m willing to help if you’re ready to invest in you. I specialize in helping you discover what you value most in life so that you can live with joy today. No more waiting for something or someone around you to change. You can change today.. Every small change matters because you matter.
[…] Day 12 – Free from Labels […]