I went to visit my aunt years ago and we were all seated outside under the moonlight for a cool natural breeze. My nephew of about 2-year-old was outside with us, eating biscuit. As he was eating the biscuit, he noticed an image eating biscuit as well. He stopped eating the biscuit, raised his left hand, and behold the image also raised its hand. I and my aunt sat quietly, observing him. He then put the same left hand on his head and the image did the same. My nephew took a few steps forward and the image moved with him as well. When he saw that the image was following him, he started crying and running for his life. He threw away his biscuit. Perhaps, he thought the image was a ghost. Seeing his reaction to his own shadow, I and my aunt couldn’t stop laughing.

Why was my nephew afraid of the image? It is simply because he’s yet to know his image. When you find yourself walking at night, you will discover that an image will get attached to you. The image will imitate you in everything you do. The image is called Shadow and it’s the extension of you.

Today, I want to ask you this question: Do you know your image? As simple as the question might sound, it is unfortunate that we have so many people who don’t even know their image.

Now, let’s go deep. What is the meaning of image?

Image is a representation of the external form of a thing. Your image is your carbon-copy, it reflects your abilities, appearance, and personality. It is you, engraved in you. Your image is the visible extension of you that relate with the outer world. Your image gives the perception of your being and defines you in any situation or circumstances.

Let’s consider this:

Assuming I told you that Bill Gates is the guest speaker at my conference. At the conference, an unknown man approached the pulpit and said “I am Bill Gates”, what will be your reaction? Of course, you will shun him. Even though, his real name might be Bill Gates as well, but who cares? As long as he did not carry the IMAGE of the Bill Gates (the Billionaire) you were expecting to see at the conference.

Now, let’s turn this around:

Assuming Bill Gates was at the conference but when he was to address the audience, he said “I am not Bill Gates” what will be your first reaction? Of course, you will take a closer look at him. When you do that, you are simply trying to identify his image. If you confirm the Image is Bill Gates, it doesn’t matter what name he calls himself afterwards, you are sure he’s the Founder of Microsoft.

Here’s the fact about image:

Image cannot be denied, it stays true to itself always. However, Image can be altered. Alteration of image can be done by the image bearer, people, challenges, environment and change. This alteration takes place when the source of the image is unknown. Confusing? Let me make it easy to understand. Let’s take a Diamond for example. If I take a diamond, and I break it into pieces, what will happen? Will I still have a diamond? Oh, I think I will have bitumen. Hell no, it will remain a diamond even though it’s now in pieces. As long as the composition of the diamond (which is the source) is known, the diamond will still retain its image. In other words, by breaking the diamond into pieces or doing whatever to the diamond won’t change it from being a diamond. The diamond will never be altered to become a bitumen or granite. However, if the composition (source) of the diamond is unknown, the image will be altered. Let’s assume the same pieces were given to a farmer who knows nothing about diamonds. He might think it’s just pieces of broken glass and throw it away. The diamond obviously has no value to him because he’s not aware of the composition (source), hence the diamond image is altered. That’s why I said image alteration takes place when the source of the image is unknown.

It is your duty to know your image because people always have the tendency to abuse something they don’t know the value of. When you establish your self-image, people are forced to reckon with it. Knowing your self-image doesn’t exempt you from facing abuse, difficulty, and rejection from people or situations but will ease your pain because you know whoever or whatever rejects you or treats you unfairly had just lost a valuable thing (You). Hence, you will have the confidence to rise above your challenges because those things don’t define you. Without knowing your image, and the source of your image, your image is prone to be altered. For you to know your image, you must first know your source. It is your source that determines the value to be placed on your image. That value placed on your image will then proclaim what you worth (self-worth). Don’t worry, I will talk about how to know your source in my next write up.

Know your image! Don’t let life toss you up and down. Don’t let challenges, challenge your dream. Don’t let difficulty divert your focus on your goal. When you know your image, no matter the situation you find yourself, you won’t let the situation to define you. A diamond thrown in the gutter won’t stop sparkling. Don’t let anything stop you from achieving greatness in life.

Now l will ask you again: Do you know your image?

If you know your image, you won’t let the current ugly situation you are facing to make you give up on your dream. You won’t let the rejection you got, to make you feel worthless. You won’t let the negative things people say about you, to get to you (put you down). You won’t let frustration to make you hopeless. You will fight! Fight for what you believe in. Fight for your future. Fight for survival. Fight for what you deserve. And fight till you triumph.

PS: Your image attribute can be very positive; giving you confidence in your thoughts and actions, or it could be very negative, giving you doubts about your capabilities and purpose. Therefore, knowing your image isn’t enough. You have to work on building and maintaining a positive image.

BUILD A POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE!