My name is Maggie Ann Lewis, and I have the honor of serving as president of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council. Yes, I’m a politician.
But I know that I’m so much more than a politician.
I’m a woman! (Ha, ha, hear me roar!) I’m a wife. I’m married to a crazy, fun-loving, loud family man who drives me batty at times.
I’m the mother of one ridiculously cool kiddo who just realized that he cannot leave the house without checking his gear in a full-length mirror.
I’m a daughter, sister, auntie, sister and a friend.
I’m a policy nerd, I’m a lover of high-impact activities.
And I’m a Christian, a child of God and heir to the Kingdom!
In a world where we are obsessed with titles, rules and telling folks how to act, let me just say you do not define me! We all face criticism from those who try to define us, and it creates a struggle with our self-identity or clouds our judgment when we are trying to figure out who we want to be. But I’m here to tell you we cannot let others define us. We must take the time to learn about ourselves — to really get to know ourselves.
When was the last time you took time to think about the things that you like and the things you don’t? Our likes and our dislikes influence how we describe and define ourselves. For example, are you walking around talking about your failures, or are you screaming about your successes from the rooftop at the top of your lungs?
Look, I know I’m not a psychic or a mind reader; I can’t predict the future. But I do know that we can no longer allow folks to box us in and tell us what we can and cannot do.
I am who I am, and you are you. We define who we are — no one else has the right or privilege to define us.
So, if you want to rock your patched or shredded jeans to the next business meeting, if you want to wear your running shoes to the gala or party, do it. If you want to shave your hair to a low fade and dye it orange, go ahead and do it! Who cares? This is your life, and you only have one go ’round.
You know, as long as you are not hurting anyone or breaking any laws, be yourself and be the best you there is — do you!
Peace.
Maggie A. Lewis is president of the Marion County City-County Council.
