One of These Things: Learn how to embrace your uniqueness and live authentically

By Fred Downing

Have you ever felt odd, different, or out of place? How many times have you tried to blend in or conform to what everyone else was doing, but never experienced genuine happiness, peace or joy? Are other people constantly telling you who you are or what you should be, according to their standards? Do you find yourself comparing your life with others and wondering why you just don’t measure up?

If you’re tired of being uncomfortable in your own skin, I invite you to take a journey with me through the pages of this book, which will allow you to understand that you are no accident, but you were created by The Almighty, by design and for a specific purpose.

You too, can have confidence in who you are and begin to understand that someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business. And it all begins by acknowledging that each and every person on the planet is
“One of These Things.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385019106

Fred Downing

Fred Downing is passionate about helping everyone embrace their unique identity, in an effort to live according to their God-purpose. This U.S. Army veteran has enjoyed a career which includes retail and hospitality management, ordained ministry, as well as serving as a dynamic workshop facilitator. Throughout his personal and professional journey, Fred has refused to allow anyone to dictate who he should be. By doing so, he makes a significant impact upon the lives of those with whom he engages, and genuinely enjoys the journey!

Book preview

1333_c.jpg

ONE

OF THESE

THINGS

LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUENESS

AND LIVE AUTHENTICALLY

FRED DOWNING

Copyright © 2024 Fred Downing.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1909-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1910-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024903145

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/03/2024

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 Understand You Are God’s Masterpiece

2 Never Allow Others to Dictate Who You Are

3 Identify Your Passions and Purpose

4 Quality Not Quantity

5 Unconditionally Commit Yourself to the Lord

6 Embrace Your Personal Best

Notes

About the Author

To Gail, my loving wife of thirty-four years, who always saw me as one of these things that was not like the others and loved me for my authentic self. Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and holding me accountable to be my very best! Your love continues to bless me richly, and I thank God that we’re on this journey together.

Acknowledgments

I am overjoyed to offer this extremely special thank you to Norma McCord, the assistant principal of the high school I attended. It was about forty-four years ago, but you were the first person who acknowledged my writing ability and encouraged me to consider this medium as a vocation to pursue. This book is a portion of the harvest from the seeds that you sowed, and I am eternally grateful.

Introduction

Have you ever felt odd, different, or out of place? How many times have you tried to blend in or conform to what everyone else was doing but never experienced genuine happiness, peace, or joy? Are other people constantly telling you who you are or who you should be, according to their standards? Do you find yourself comparing your