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The Declaration of You will be published by North Light Craft Books this summer, with readers getting all the permission they’ve craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do!

Michelle Ward and Jessica Swift invite you to join in the fun!

The Declaration of You website has all the information on how you can share your own posts, join Facebook parties and so much more! Declare yourself!

This Friday, June 14th, you can join us in the Facebook comment party at 12-12:30 pm EST. I’ll be there!

This post is part of The Declaration of You’s BlogLovin’ Tour, and I am so excited to take part along with over 100 other fantastic, creative bloggers. You can meet them here.

I have always been a night owl. I LOATHE getting up early. Not just capital L. Capital L-O-A-T-H-E. This preference has always been a source of friction with the morning people in my life. Most of all, my early bird mother. I was so happy when I read that our biological clock is responsible for this predisposition. And that it is determined even before birth. I was born at 2:40 am, so maybe that explains it, huh? OK, maybe not. I am at my most creative from mid morning to late at night. I just am.

I’ll gladly admit that early morning is the best time of day for capturing the light in photographs and for artists in general. Breakfast is my favorite meal. I like it so much, I sometimes have it for dinner. And everyone knows about early bird specials. So yes, I will get up early to watch the sunrise in the canyon. I will get up early (and I might even enjoy it) if bribed with an omelet, or green chili with eggs and potatoes.

But right here, right now, I am making my declaration – I AM A NIGHT OWL. There. I said it. This makes me unique in comparison with just about everyone I know. My brother is the only other night owl I can think of. But you know, I am a great person to have along on road trips, because I can take the night shift, and everyone else can sleep. That is just one of the traits that makes me different from all the other Cheerios in the box. (For more you can check out my About page.) Part of creating the life I want, is the opportunity to get creative when I am at my best.

I want you to make a list of some of the traits or talents that make you different from other people. Your family, your friends, the people you work with. Have you ever been teased for being… too tidy? Too sweet? Too ambitious? Too Tom-boy? Too girlie? Too assertive? Too bold? Too Friendly?

We have all, at one time or another, been made to feel less than, simply because we possess a trait that others do not share. We were dorks because we could diagram a sentence, or solve complex equations. Or play the flute. I would love to be able to play the flute! I can live without the complex equations, but I am sure my bank account would be much higher if that was my forte.

OK, so did you make you list of traits that make you unique? Have you ever tried to hide your unique traits? Have you ever found yourself, deliberately trying to be less you. Yes, you have. Hopefully, that was back in high school. But if you find that you are still not quite comfortable flaunting your special skills –

START FLAUNTING NOW BABY!

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

Even if it is just a little thing, if it is something you take pride in. Start doing it more often. Maybe you make great potato salad, but one of the other Mom’s on the block thinks hers is the greatest, so you eat her tasteless concoction at the potluck in an effort not to offend her. Go for it! Make your SCRUMPTIOUS salad.

You don’t have to start with something monumental. It does not have to be grand or important or even public really. Find what makes you UNIQUE. A little something that fills your heart with joy. And do it more often. Stop holding yourself back. Little changes lead to big ones, and you will be amazed at how quickly it can snowball.