Monday, November 9, 2009

The Multicultural Elizabeth

I'm a third culture kid. I was born in Morocco, and lived there for five years before moving back an forth between Peru and the US. After that, I lived in Mexico for five years and then moved to England where I have been for a year and a half. All this moving took a toll on my identity as a person. I had so many different cultures inside me that I never knew which one to identify to.
Even before I found out that I was an INFP and what that entailed, I began to take pride in my Latin American culture. I have always had a problem with putting expectations on friends and thinking that everybody is judging me when they see me or talk to me. I have never been comfortable in myself. There are few people who I can really just bare my soul to.
After I knew I was an INFP, I realized just how unique I really am. That obviously brings good and bad consequences. Growing up, I knew I was different from my teenage friends. I never had interest in the pop culture or the name brands that they all seemed so enthusiastic about. I got so frustrated with them because to me, they were superficial.
I went through a period of three years, where I was self injuring. I was never diagnosed with depression, but I truly believe that I was. I was suicidal, but I was scared to die.
People found out I was cutting, and though they labeled me as an attention seeker (even though in a way I was seeking attention), I wanted them to be aware that there was more to life than just name brand clothing.
I am a believer in Jesus Christ, but I'm not religious. I grew up in a Christian family, and my parents weren't that religious. They were more spiritual. They lived by faith in God, but by the laws that Christians have set up. Even though my parents weren't extremely religious, we lived in Christian communities, where I felt like I had to be perfect, and this led to more uncertainty.
Now, I've learned the true meaning of being a follower of Jesus Christ, and that has helped with identifying that I am a daughter of God and my permanent home is in heaven. I can go through life moving around and never owning a home, but I'll still have that home in heaven with Jesus.
I'm still the awkward teenager I was 5 years ago and I think I always will be. I still second guess myself and over analyse situations between people. I still feel like I don't belong in this culture and know I'm not like anyone else, but that makes me special. I know I'll find a husband who will love me and it won't just be an attraction marriage, but it will be a deep, meaningful relationship where we can benefit from each other. Right now, I'm just letting Jesus sort out my life because I've failed so many times in trying to do it myself.
I'm very excited to see everyone else's stories! :)
It's kind of like I've known you guys for awhile because we can relate so well.
I love being an INFP!

1 comment:

  1. Hey! I like your blog alot, and I can really relate to the things you've said about your religion. (or maybe religion is a bad word to use...)

    I feel like i am still learning about what it means to be a follower of jesus christ. As an INFP my beliefs are very important to me, and I can be very critical of myself (as infp's generally are). At my school I'm involved with Campus Crusade For Christ. I am in a bible study and it sometimes feels like the more i learn the less I know. I also don't like how my b-stud leader, though i love her and shes awsome, tends to glaze over the more difficult topics such as predeturminism and such. When people questions what she says she shuts down, and I feel like we should have more discussion.

    I can relate to what you said about just not being intrested in the same things most ppl are. Clothes, sports, ect... boring to me. (well, i like clothes, but not really lables, just clothes that look nice). I was pretty depressed back when i was like 13 and 14, but I am slowely but surly getting better

    I would love to have the opportunity to travel like you have and to see so many different cultures. I have never even been on a plain, or been out of the Mid-west of the US... it sux but my family dosne't like to/ have the funds to travle like that. Though my parents did go to California without me... Now that i'm in collage i really want to study abroad.

    it was nice getting to know you

    -keshia

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