"You draw your own box. You introduce yourself as who you are."

When you think about it, the core idea here is all about self-definition. It's saying that you are the one who gets to determine who you are and how you present yourself to the world. Nobody else has that power over you unless you let them. It’s like drawing a box—your box—in which you decide the dimensions and what’s inside. You introduce yourself to others based on this understanding of yourself.

Historically or personally, this kind of thinking might have been really important during times of significant social change or personal transformation. For instance, the civil rights movements or women's liberation movements often focused on the power of self-definition. These movements encouraged people to step out of the boxes that society had placed them in and to define their own identities.

Now, picture this: imagine a young woman working in a tech company, a field traditionally dominated by men. It's easy for her to feel boxed in by stereotypes and expectations around gender. But she decides to draw her own box. She introduces herself not just as a woman in tech, but as a skilled coder, a creative problem-solver, and a leader. Because of this, she starts to be seen not through the narrow lens of gender but through the expansive view of her capabilities and contributions. Her colleagues begin to respect her for who she truly is.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by taking a good, hard look at the limits you've internalized. Are you living in a box that someone else drew for you? If you are, it's time to grab your own pen. Define what matters to you, what your strengths are, and what you want to be known for. Introduce yourself in a way that aligns with this self-created identity. It’s not just about words—it’s about actions, too. Live in a manner that reflects your self-definition.

Let’s make this even more relatable. Think about a high school student named Alex. Alex has always been the quiet kid, and everyone seems to expect him to stay that way. But Alex loves writing and has a great sense of humor. One day, he decides he's tired of being confined to the "shy kid" box. He starts sharing his funny stories on social media and in class. At first, people are surprised, but then they start to see Alex as the witty storyteller he really is. This change doesn’t happen overnight, but with each story, Alex expands the dimensions of his box. Eventually, he’s no longer just the quiet kid—he’s Alex, the guy with the amazing stories.

In essence, drawing your own box and introducing yourself as you are is about reclaiming power and authenticity. It means you’re not letting others dictate your identity. Sure, it takes courage and might feel uncomfortable at first, but the freedom and respect you gain are well worth it. So, grab that metaphorical pen and start drawing—your identity is yours to define.