When you visit my parents and they offer you soda, it will be Pepsi. That’s their favorite soda brand. Many of us have loyalty to certain brands. Companies understand the importance of having a strong brand. They invest heavily to ensure their brands are unique, readily recognized and loved by their customers. When we see a swoosh or a partially eaten apple, we know exactly what brand is being represented.

As individuals, we also have a brand. Who we are is our brand. Have you ever considered the fact that your personal brand is as important as any company’s brand? All the things that make us unique are components of our brand. It’s important for us to love ourselves and embrace our brand. If you are Pepsi, it wouldn’t make sense to put the Coca Cola logo on your cans. Similarly, it doesn’t make sense for us to abandon our brand and try to use someone else’s. The way we look, talk, act, think is all part of our brand. The more we embrace our “brand”, our unique wonderfulness as individuals, the more effective we will be in living out our purpose.

Once we wrap our heads around the concept that we are our own unique special brand, the next thing is to embrace it. Embrace the fact that we are special, beautiful and worthy. We don’t compare ourselves to others, because their brand is different. We can treasure our brand knowing that we are loved and valued just as we are. We also need to protect the integrity of our brand. Every decision we make impacts our brand. When we choose to be caring and generous, it enhances our brand. When we are selfish and unkind, it’s hurts our brand.

The next time you look in the mirror, instead of seeing flaws and imperfections, see the one of a kind awesome brand that is you. Treasure your brand. Promote it and protect it.