"Who Am I?"

Who am I? Although this question is composed of only three elementary words, if meditated on it really packs a punch.  Looking from a simple perspective the facts of my life are quite basic. My name is Lurena Bish. Attending Aurora High School I am involved in many activities: Flag Corps, Rhapsody, One Act, Fellowship of Christian Girls, National Honor Society, and various others. Having two loving parents and a stand-out older sister, my family life could be considered normal. From the outside I am a simple creature wandering around, looking for my place in this world. But I am so much more than that!  Interestingly I am more than what meets the eye. By digging deeper, one would find weird quirks, laughable moments, terrific strengths, and flaws of all kinds. Each is a thread used to weave the person that I am today. I believe to truly understand someone you have to start at the origin; for me, that starts in my early years. 

 As a child I was shy and introverted, but wanted more than anything to have the “best friend.” Painted beautifully in all the chick flick movies, it seemed simple: find that one person in the whole world you can bear your soul to, become automatic bosom buddies, and live the “happily-ever-after” until you finish school. It may have been a reach for a six year old. Life is not like the movies and the opposite happened.  I ended up friendless and alone. Ever since kindergarten I was labeled an outcast and loner, making me an easy target for bullies. Let’s just say my elementary school years were difficult.

My Deep Map

My life finally made a turn the summer before my seventh grade year.  June eighth of 2007 is when I made a life altering decision by accepting Christ into my life. That may sound stereotypical, but make no mistake it was the real deal. From that time on I was transformed. My perspective was adjusted from the world’s view of how life should be, and focused on the plan God designed.  Through everything I do, I try to give the glory to my Creator, and become a woman after His own heart. Now I am not saying I am the perfect masterpiece of some “holier than thou club.” I am just a perfectly flawed human that has a different pair of eyes and has given her heart to new ownership.

What I believe most about life is there are no duplicates; everyone has their own personal building blocks that have formed who they are now. Although a spoon full of sugar makes life sweet, in my opinion, the trials are what shape one’s life. By going through the flames you see if you melt and crack under the pain, or come out as pure gold. The reaction to hardships is something controllable. In other words, trials hand a person the pen to their life book, metaphorically speaking of course. 

 

My family tradition of bringing red Jell-O and playing Pinochle at family gatherings.

 

Another determining factor in who you become are your decisions. Believe it or not a person’s personality is their choice. Example: one can choose to motivate others by being positive. Granted these decisions are not easy. There are always times when we feel the temptation of throwing in the towel, or letting our emotions get the best of us, but the true test of character comes when we push through anyway.  Once accomplished, the seeds of admirable qualities are planted: integrity, perseverance,   patience, and compassion.

 Life also brings little pick-me-ups along the road. The best just happens to be laughter. When watching movies I like going to the blooper scenes. Here is one from the “Wonderful Life of Me”. As a young girl I loved thunderstorms. To me it was the most spectacular event since sliced bread. Splashing in the puddles, dancing in the rain, and sloshing through the mud was like taking me to my own wonderland. Well, one Sunday morning, after the biggest thunderstorm known to man had passed; my family and I were getting ready to leave for church. Three year old me, wearing a white dress, bounded out to visit my little world. All of a sudden I heard the most crushing words to my imagination, “Lurena,” exclaimed my Mother, “Don’t even think about touching that water!” Talk about knocking the wind out of somebody; but I knew better than to cross her, especially when we were running late. As I neared the edge of the paved driveway not daring to take one more step, I happened to glance down and saw a little puddle. Then it hit me. Mom said not to touch the water, but she said nothing about swishing hair. So I swished my long locks back and forth in the little paradise; a fair compromise. My mom on the other hand did not see it that way. In complete shock she called my name. Trying to see what the commotion was about I whipped my head upright throwing my hair back and turned towards the sound as the cold murky water slid down my back onto my once white dress. Needless to say we were really late for church. Little antidotes like that always have a way of making a smile creep upon my face.  

So in conclusion, who am I? I am a person built from her past experiences looking to a brighter future. A person, who chooses who she will be instead of letting others decide; someone who is full of light-hearted stories, but is still willing and open to talk about the deep issues. In basic terms I am just me: one-hundred percent, one of a kind, original me. To be honest and blunt, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

An amazing song from my Life Sound Track.

("In Christ Alone")

 

Another song from my Life Sound Track. Not a song to take to heart, but definitely the perfect song to dance and jam out too!  

("Call Me Maybe")