EXPOSED

Although it's only been a few weeks, 26 has been pretty good so far. I feel like I've learned something new about myself every day. I've learned things about myself that I don't like so much, and I've learned things that I love. I have many talents and strengths. However, among those strengths are many weaknesses. In learning my weaknesses, I can't help but to feel a bit appalled. I've taken various behavioral and personality assessments at work and for class. All in an effort to help learn myself and "work well with others". But with many of these tests, I find I can also use the results in my personal life.

My results were predictable. I know I'm competitive... I can empathize well... I'm organized for the most part. What shocked me were my weaknesses, or should I say... opportunities for growth. Among these opportunities for improvement were: I am very critical of myself and others (TRUE), and I can be fussy/picky (TRUE). Ok, ok... so I'll admit, my own best friend just told me a couple weeks ago "I am my own worst enemy", but... Am I just as critical of others? Can I be picky? I do fuss a lot. But wait a second... Is this me? Is this how I am? And... have I just been EXPOSED in front of my colleagues, my classmates? Now keep in mind, I am very critical of myself, which in other words means, I over-analyze everything.

Over the last week or so, I've thought a little about those behavioral tendencies and personality assessments. In a way, I was EXPOSED to myself. The way we see ourselves, is much different than the way others perceive us. For example, you may see yourself as a very easy-going person, but most people see you as... well... not so easy-going. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't take those assessment results completely literal and I don't believe we should walk around trying to please everyone. However, I do believe there is a lot of truth in them, and I do believe, as a culture, we need to check ourselves and do some self-inventory a lot more often than we do.

When I say self-inventory, I mean look at ourselves. I mean really dig deep. Be honest with ourselves. No one is perfect, we all have things we need to work on. For the majority of us, that one thing we need to work on is the negative energy we hold inside ourselves and the negative energy we give off to the people we come in contact with everyday. I am guilty of taking a bad attitude out on an innocent bystander or two... or three... you know what I'm trying to say. So my goal is to get to the root of any negative energy I have on any day. Negative energy comes from every where, our commute to work (road rage), a company giving bad customer service, co-workers, family, no one is exempt.

Today I was watching the rescue efforts of the 33 men in Chile who were trapped in a mine more than 1/2 mile underground. They showed footage of each man emerging from the earth running to their wives and family, kissing and hugging. One man emerged and kneeled down on both knees pressing his hands together in prayer and celebration. The President of Chile appeared on our screen and explained the various efforts of the government, who took over and got other countries involved to help in the rescue. For a moment, I though to myself... wow... America has been EXPOSED. The Chilean government responded so quickly to this possible tragedy, they utilized all the resources they had available to help their people.... our government could take a lesson or two.

Then suddenly, in the middle of my thought, a commercial break began. The local news did their regular weather updates, crimes in the area, etc. Then they ended it with, "33 men rescued in Chile- watch tonight at 10pm to find out the health risks they will now face from being trapped in the mine AND the love triangle drama that awaited one of the 33 men as he emerged." ARE YOU SERIOUS? Watching the scene of all these men reunited with their families, most of them probably thought they may never see them again!  Quite frankly, it almost had me in tears!  But leave it to some negative people to throw the drama in the story.  Why must we focus on the negative?! I mean it's everywhere!  Sheesh!

So my best advice this week is get to the root of our issues. Dig deep into ourselves, find out why we are the way we are. Find out what makes us tick, and what ticks us off.  We may think we know, but we need to know better.  Ask someone to be honest with you about yourself, don't penalize them for their responses.  Applaud their efforts.  Only those who truly love you will be honest with you, even if you don't like what you hear.  Stay away from negativity, figure out a way to turn away from it when it does present itself.  Accept the fact that we're not perfect, accept the fact that we are all flawed, and hopefully that will make it easier to cope with one another in difficult times.  Focus on the positive, love YOUrself, recognize your flaws and work on them when you can :-)  

BE BLESSED!



Riding the Wave

Well folks... I just celebrated another birthday.  I am now the big...

 I must admit 25 was the year of lots of great change in my life.  I'm not sure if 26 can top 25, but I sure am looking forward to finding out!  During the last year, I learned a lot things.  Here are a few that stood out to me the most:

   My metabolism is slowing down to what seems to be a screeching halt!  I need a little less Japanese steakhouse dinners and a little more of this...



hahahahaha!

I also learned...

Only wear one hat a time

While planning a wedding, taking care of a family, going to school, and working.  I get pretty confused as to what role to play and when.  25 taught me to only wear one hat a time, or I would literally go crazy.  Some hats do top others, for example I always have on my 'parent hat' no matter where I am.  But I have learned to take off my 'work hat' when leaving work.  Although this is still something I struggle with from time to time, I am getting better at leaving work... well... at work.  The newest hat I'm learning is my 'wife hat', which I'm pretty excited to get really comfortable in :-))

The last thing I learned at 25 may be the most important...

  

I have learned to 'Ride the Wave'

Every day has its own excitement, disappointments, happiness, and sadness.  When we wake up, we have no idea what that day has in store for us.  At 26 years old, I've learned to accept whatever life has in store.  Although my faith is not where I want it to be yet, I do trust that everyday I am moving toward a great destiny.  I've gotten a lot more comfortable admitting my mistakes (although it's still not that easy), and I've gotten a lot more comfortable forgiving. 

I've realized there will be great days, bad days, ok days, and days where I just don't know what kind of day it was because I was just too busy to stop and wonder LOL.  All these ups and downs can only be described as a wave.  The best waves are the biggest, and are the most sought after by surfers.  However, they don't always get the biggest waves, but they learn to ride and enjoy the ones they get hoping to catch a big one soon.  Our days and weeks throw us a lot of waves, some are dull and some are the best!  So what I've done is something similar to the surfers, I've accepted the dull in complete faith that a great one is coming soon.  I've been introduced to the art of 'Riding the Wave'.

Here's a poem that I really enjoyed and thought I would share.  The author is unknown.  I hope you all enjoy it!

“She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be…
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her to be pleased with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be."

The success I've seen in my 26 years of living isn't based on what kind of house I have, what kind of car I drive, or the numbers on my W2s.  My success is based on my growth mentally and spiritually.  Therefore, I am proud to say I am successful because GOD IS MY SUCCESS!

 (courtesy of RevRunWisdom)

Be Blessed All!