Mirror, Mirror...

When you look into the mirror who and what do you see? Our reflections hold a lot of things. Hopes. Dreams. Truths. Lies. Morals. However, so much more is seen in the glass than our own form reflected. Sometimes we see distortions; and we believe these as the truth. Believing our own distorted views of ourselves, and the world, holds us back. What is even more opposing than believing our own distortions is trying to create distortions in others.

I don't know about you, but something I have noticed is that whenever I feel inadequate about myself, I subconsciously try to stifle it, and then it comes back around like a boomerang. My eyes will dart across a room and I will instantly begin to label people. I'll compare, I'll stereotype, I'll scoff, and I'll laugh. These cruel, and not to mention poisonous, thoughts are negatively impacting my own chances of regaining a true view of myself.

To combat this, I think of all the times I have been laughed at, stereotyped, and scoffed at. I remember what it feels like to be a victim of someone else's insecurities. Then, I make a plan to fight these false pretenses I have created. I tie up the laces of my running shoes and I hit the track. On the roads, I lose the earthly binds and temptations that try to suck me back down. My anxiety dissipates with every step I take, and my self-consciousness vanishes at every mile-marker. Then a smile begins to tug at the corners of my lips, and I gain clarity of the world once again.

I can completely feel the truth behind what Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb, the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon, once said, "I thought about how many preconceived prejudices would crumble when I trotted right along for 26 miles". To break and change so many peoples' minds about what is physically possible is astounding. This goes for anything! So many people will try to tell you 'no, you can't do that', but the truth is YES - yes, YOU CAN, even if it is nothing to do with physical possibility!

People will try to label you, stereotype you, and even criminalize you when you do something out of the ordinary, or walk to a beat that's even slightly different than their own. But what you must remember is that their comments are not about you. Their comments, no matter how hurtful or hateful, are their own insecurities seeping out - and that's the ugliest thing to see of all.

So instead, let's make a pact to be beautiful/outstanding together. Let's channel OUR insecurities and do something POSITIVE. Let's break down those preconceived prejudices that solely exist because we THINK that there just has to be 'NORMAL' people and 'WEIRD' people. To me, when I see another human being, my first thought will be to see the reflection that we need to see in each other- the reflection of a longing for love, kindness, and caring actions. Be the reflection you want to see. It all starts with loving your own heart by breaking your own binds - once you learn to set your insecurities free - everyone can be free. 

Counting Stars

As a child, I remember that the days felt long, and that my youth felt eternal. As I emerged from the innocence of my make-believe to the reality of everyday, I now know that the older I grow, the less permanent my surroundings will be. 

Although this sounds a little bleak, this is a revelation that has changed my perspective...

When I first became an adult, I thought that everything was about being true to a certain label. Title. Education. Income. IQ. Everything was something that could be measured, compared, and earned. I strove towards these things because that is what I deemed success. What I did not realize was just how far away I was from living the truth. 

After giving my full attention to these 'measurable' things, I realized just how shallow they truly were. A prestigious title does not mean someone is an expert. Procuring a great education does not secure a phenomenal job. Earning an astoundingly high income does not guarantee happiness. Having a rocket scientist's IQ does not mean that you will be any more equipped for reality.

Instead, success is about finding what is true to oneself, and doing it well. 

One Republic has a brilliant song, Counting Stars, that says it all, "No more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars". To me, this line means that we need to break free of the labels that hold us back. Don't be afraid to dream, or to color out of the lines. 

Sometimes, you will have to take leaps. I know I did when I quit my job as full-time digital marketing specialist. When I was working underneath that title that sounds so powerful, I felt more weak than ever. I worked for ruthless people who couldn't care less for their employees. I worked for selfish people who only saw the dollar signs. These people went through employees like tissues because they could not see deep down to appreciate these individuals' value. I am not afraid anymore to speak my mind about it. (Despite my resentment towards my past work 'environment', I still find social media, blogging, and digital strategy to be fascinating, and I think they are my strong points!) 

Now, as a Pharmacy Technician, a job I did NOT go to school for, I am happier than I could have ever imagined. Yes, there are long days and demanding days, but there are rewarding days, and those are the days that matter most. I HELP people, and care for them. I am challenged every day, and equally repaid. I work with wonderful people who share my passion, and who understand the value of a hard worker. 

And to the people who try to bring me down for who I am or what I do, I can't even hear you anymore, because my life is amazing, and I am happy. I am blessed, and my blessings are more numerous than the stars in the sky. I couldn't even begin to count..

What labels are you trying to break free of? Do you think our society is too centered on labels? Comment with your thoughts below!

Tripping

Have you ever noticed that just when you think you've got the hang of something, it kind of tends to fall in your face? 

Ugh. I have. 

It seems like whenever I try to be extra clever, extra graceful, or extra helpful, I end up tripping, falling or spilling. Or even worse, when my tongue seems to run counter to my brain... I just hate it when I say something and then ten seconds later the opposite happens (or sometimes even worse, EXACTLY what I have just said happens). Oh, irony....

Even the Greek poet Horace knows that, "Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled". 

Sometimes it just seems that we can't win. We think we have control, when in reality, life is pretty unpredictable. 

However, despite the annoyance of irony, there is beauty. If I was a magic genie and could predict everything, then life would definitely be dull. If I was always perfect and never failed at anything, then I would never learn. If I always had the answer to every problem, then I wouldn't be able cooperate with others to solve the problem as a team. 

Sometimes we just have to face the inevitable that failure allows us to grow. Maybe it's not fun to deal with at the time, but later, when you look back, you'll be astounded by what you've learned - and let's face it, sometimes those stories of failure are pretty funny to share too. 

Do you have a funny failure story? Have you ever said something that has cursed you? Comment with your stories below!