What are you?

If you look at my business card, I will be defined as Legal learning Specialist.

If you ask my parents, they will you tell you I'm their independent-almost-to-a-fault, driven, and incredibly intelligent daughter. (Especially the 'incredibly intelligent' part.)

If you ask my sister, she will joke that I'm her know-it-all, asian-looking sister. (seriously, you should see my baby pictures.)

If you ask my boyfriend, he will proudly proclaim that I'm the best girlfriend that ever walked the face of this Earth (or something like that).

If you ask my friends, they will tell you I'm their friend who loves to dance, laugh, and blog. They may also tell you I have an unhealthy obsession with Lady Gaga. (They might be right.)

If you ask my dogs, they will tell you nothing. Because they're dogs.

Sometimes, though, we hear what people say about us, and we feel obligated to live up to that.

My parents consistently told me, and other people how smart I was. (Not in a cocky way, more like "she got all A's again! We're so proud!")

It is true, I did well in school, but I didn't realize how much I felt obligated to get good grades until I made my first C in college.

I was a freshman, taking 18 hours, and when I saw that "C" on my transcript, I cried. I cried and cried and cried, and called my mom, and cried some more.

And you know what she said?

"That's ok! You did good."

Wait, what? 

I put too much pressure on myself to live up to others' expectations...or made-up expectations.

My parents appreciated the fact that I did well in school. I was the one who felt tremendous pressure to always live up to that.

Maybe someone always sees you as the problem solver, or the funny guy, or the relationship expert.

And maybe you can solve the world's problems, make a room full of financial analysts belly-laugh, or get Sheila to finally dump Douglas because, come on, what bouche-dag!

Remember to ask yourself why you do the things you do. Is it because you want to? Is it because you love it? Is it because deep down, you know that's who you are?

Or is it because everyone else thinks that what you are, so you feel that is you have to be?

Don't be afraid to make your own path. It might be easier, if someone else has already cleared out a trail for you, but you're the one walking it. (or biking it, or running it, or driving it...whichever way you prefer to move.)

So what are you?