Category Archives: Just Me
iHuman.
Ever notice how the world sets up competitions that can’t be won? Like relative Beauty- you may please most, but never all.
“The whole world sees perfection but all you see
Is room for more improvement” – David Ryan Harris, lyrics to Prettygirl
Is room for more improvement” – David Ryan Harris, lyrics to Prettygirl
Superhuman athleticism- unless you start training at age three for forty hours a week, you may never taste Olympic glory.
Static happiness- life is hard, and a single emotion won’t sustain you. In fact, if you found a way to be happy all the time, it’s probably at the expense of something or someone else.
It’s silly almost. We’ve made life so hard by throwing everyone into a competition. Don’t we see there’s already enough involuntary suffering? disaster? crises?
Reality turns victors into victims because of unbearable pressures. My new friend, Prakruthi, continued, “Yes… we’re always left feeling inadequate and defeated!” Great point.
But like the popular campaign, it’s possible to live above the influence. And for the record, living above the influence doesn’t mean redefining Reality so that we live ignorantly and self-servingly in our own kingdoms and queendoms. A lot of people tend to build up walls and stay within their safety net to escape temptation. Temptation is not the enemy. And living inside a box is not victorious. It’s cowardice. Trust me, I would know. I’m a recovering coward.
All I’m saying is, it appears that when you enter this world, you enter a race. Most people will run the 5k, the race that takes some training but doesn’t cause too much inconvenience. A handful will train for the marathon, and after running 15 miles on the treadmill they’ll realize the treadmill is actually running them, and they are bound. Others will never lace up their shoes; if they don’t lace up, they can’t lose. But who, then, wins?
Some say ‘the lucky ones’. Some say ‘love’ conquers all (..BTW, what kinda love are we talking about?). Some don’t care.
What race are you running?
Once you claim it, live it.
Godspeed.
-Alyson
What of It?
It only takes one misstep to trip. One. And the next is usually a frantic overcompensation to reassert balance, followed by a third march that demands pride and refuses humiliation.
It only takes one misstep to slip. One. And the next usually involves shakier footing, followed by more compromise and vulnerability, during which agility and fight-or-flight are dampened.
It only takes one misstep. And yet, look at the chain reaction that happens in a flash. *PAUSE* for 30 seconds (hopefully more) and *THINK* of the millions of short link chains – sputtered out causes and effects – that combust from a single (mis)step.
These tiny occurrences set the pace and course of our day. Apply symbolism where it is due… one trip and you’ve fallen behind; one slip and you’ve lost your way.
In the time you’ve spent reading this, a new baby has been born, a job lost, car keys found, caffeine chugged, and surgery completed. Time has happened. What have you become of it?
Furthermore, time is happening. What will you become of it?
Personality-And-a-Half
……….Remember those kids in your kindergarten class who had that supernatural confidence and winning smile? Their bubbly personality, winsome charm, and surprising maturity captured the hearts of their teachers, peers, and every passerby. When you played follow the leader, they were the leader. When you lined up for recess, they were first. When your teachers handed out year-end awards, they not only got the trophy for “Super Student”, but also various ribbons and badges to add to their collection.
Extroversion is obviously a wonderful quality, especially in the eyes of our culture. We celebrate outgoing individuals who boldly use their voice to make their mark. But not everyone is as loud and proud as this lovely youngster in the video above.
*Does that mean the quiet ones aren’t meant for the top spot? Absolutely not.*
Sometimes the introverts are actually getting more done by sitting back, listening, and observing their surroundings as opposed to jumping in to offer an opinion. Steve Jobs, legendary Apple co-founder, was known for being nearly absent in a classroom. Only after processing and mauling over many thoughts would he form a brilliant statement worth sharing and raised his hand to verbally participate.
*There is wisdom in choosing to speak few words; when you open your mouth, people will listen.*
Overall, I think the best thing we can do is play up our natural strengths. If we’re talkers, then chat. If we’re thinkers, then cerebrate. And never (ever, ever, ever) disqualify a person because they do or do not have a certain quality.
If everyone walked in their own shoes and celebrated the diverse talents and skills, I think we’d find that there’s not only room for all types of personalities, but each is as capable and vital as the other.
*Happy Saturday!*
xoxo
A
Alyson Stoner was born in Toledo, OH on August 11, 1993. Her acting career took off soon after her move to L.A. when she booked commercials for Mattel, Hallmark-Disney and McDonald’s and then two ABC TV pilots in the same year. Her “big screen” career includesthe movies Cheaper by the Dozen, Camp Rock, Step Up & Step Up 3D.
