Fitting in and not fitting in

I work hard to fit in. I change my clothes, my walk, my facial expression and my intonation. I do this partly so life is nicer for me, and partly so I better understand and connect with people here. I'm still me though - I'm not trying to be someone I'm not.

At the same time as this, I need to be comfortable with being a foreigner and a beginner. There's no point missing out on opportunities to learn or get things done because I'm trying so hard to look like a local I can't ask for help.

It's an odd tension, which I think is only resolved if my identity and value is found somewhere other than my nationality. I'm a daughter of God, and so it's fine to give up some of my 'Australianness'. I'm a daughter of God, and so it's fine to be a foreigner.