The only thing I have ever run away from is labeling. I have this neurotic aversion to being labeled, or observing myself fall into the trap of labeling.

This is why 'branding' in the world of marketing is a challenge for me. Thankfully, I have far greater forces working with me than the powers of PR. ;)

It's the terror of being pigeon-holed that keeps me running like Roger Bannister away from labels. Slap one on...and what if it won't come off???

This thought occurred to me after...

a) Laboriously picking off stubborn label-goo from books I'm giving to my peeps for Christmas.

b) And being diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by a well-meaning, but overbearing mother-figure in my life (chill out Poppins, you know I love ya).

Am I affected by the seasons? Absolutely! Everybody is, and if they tell you they're not, they're lying. Our physicality is manifested from the Mother (Earth) and we feel her movements for as long as we remain in her domain.

Is it a disorder? Absolutely NOT! This kind of labeling just drives me wild.

I think it is quite orderly to feel the descent in autumn and the elation of spring. It's orderly to wrap oneself in the dark cloak of winter - maybe brood a bit. It's okay to get saucy and salacious in a summer thrall.

It's why the seasons EXIST! Change elicits response, and there is no disorder in responding to change - especially the dynamic wonders our Earth offers.

SAD is just a soapbox for my rant about labeling. Any number of labels could apply.

At its best, labeling can offer 'identificational clumping' (stereotyping, misdiagnosing). At worst, some less-than-savory labels can be very gooey. Sometimes they stick to us our whole lives!

So the next time you feel the urge to slap a label on someone or a situation (or even yourself), try the following:

Doing this will liberate you and those around you to phenomenal degrees. I promise.