Where I’m From

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM OR DOES IT?

Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson said something so profound… “It’s doesn’t matter where you are from, but it matters where you’re from”. Those words have resonated with me and I abide by this daily.

When people say, “It doesn’t matter where you are from”, the general connotation implies that your background and experiences do not dictate how your life will turn out. Whether you grew up in the projects, a part of a family struggling to survive, lost loved ones, grew up in a hostile community, or just endured unfavorable circumstances doesn’t mean that is all to life. You are not destined to remain there. Those factors do not negate the fact that you recognize your potential, have big dreams to fulfill, and that you desire more. It’s not a cliché to say it out loud “I will not be a product of my environment.”  Your past lives in the shadows and has its purposes but it cannot light the path to your future. Circumstances are not always cycles sometimes they are just seasons. In each season, we learn something new and establish new skills.

In the summer, we appreciate the sun although we must protect ourselves. We hydrate and ensure that heatstroke doesn’t become an issue. We cool down but have moments where we enjoy the suns’ benefits within measure. We learn the art of balance. In the Spring, we learn to store up and prepare for winter, yet we enjoy the rain that brings up beautiful flowers. Rain that’s necessary for growth and to yield a harvest. In the fall we learn the art of anticipation, winter is near, and things should be in place. We learn to adapt to change and transition. Sometimes is nice and hot still and other times it can be chilly. We learn to be flexible and adjust when necessary. Finally, many enjoy it and others dread it but there is winter. We learn how to layer, protect, and cover. We are given the heart of appreciation during this season. Maybe you should not have complained throughout the summer or prepared better in the spring? There is so much we learn in each season if we see things with an open perspective. We must learn to accept the good and bad parts of our stories because it makes us who we are. What have you learned throughout various seasons of life?

Self-reflection is not an opportunity to be depressed or loathe certain memories, but to see how far you have come. It’s a time to gauge how much you have grown, know what you would never do again, and also to be thankful. It’s okay to yourself questions about improvement and enhancement. Do you see a process of development? Your takeaways directly affect your responses to life. Do not be ashamed of where you have come from because it shaped your entire existence. It affects perspective, passion, desire, conflict resolution skills, listening skills, relationships, interactions with people in general, temperament, and leadership.

Maybe you always had to take care of everyone else or be everyone’s shoulder to cry on. At this juncture in life, you should have some substance to be a blessing. You could become a system and program developer, world changer, and impact the environment around you. After all that you have been through. Don’t count yourself out. Now is the best time to be that counselor, advisor, therapist, or even a leader in some capacity. Where you came from gave you so much insight into struggle and tools for grit and perseverance. Therefore, it does matter where you are from. Your background and unique experiences all prepare you to make a great impact in your sphere of influence today. Witnessing (or enduring) the abuse was traumatic but imagine how you can get proactive as a survivor and embody strength by providing shelter or counseling for the abused? You have come full circle with your destiny. That’s a powerful moment. It doesn’t matter where the dirt was located, your seed was birthed in the right ground and someone beautiful emerged out of it. It doesn’t matter where you come from because nothing can hold you back, but it does matter where you come from because it can be used as fuel to propel you forward. It depends on your perspective. Is where you come from the biggest factor in your life or can you realize your big potential and factor in how your roots pruned you for the success of tomorrow? “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.” —Oprah Winfrey