I Don't Match

Happy Monday! And I promise i'm trying to say that with the biggest and most sincere of smiles (while trying to forget it's really monday all over again). 

So I was doing my usual soul searching and came across a fabulous article on Oprah.com (link below) about finding out who you really are. Personally, I feel we define ourselves too definitively in relation to others. I'm too overweight, i'm too boring,  I need smaller thighs, I need to be more attractive. But do we ever ask, in relation to who? Who set the standard to what face structure is considered "beautiful?". Who's the jerk that made me believe mistakes equate to failure, and that failure is unacceptable?

I'm not sure if you guys know this person, but if so, let me have a sit down with them and I can guarantee I'll find endless flaws!

By no means am I saying I don't conform, because it's human nature to use habits and experiences to learn and grow. If all of your friends found a convenient way to get to school, you may end up just driving that way because you assume its the best way. But have you explored other paths? You'll never know about the back entrance unless you explore a little. Bad analogies aside, I'm starting to question the origin of all these lifestyle rules. And I believe skepticism is important in natural growth. 

"You have to make mistakes, to find out who you aren't"

In the article, Anne Lamott states that every day she attempts to figure out something she no longer agrees to do, to find out who she isn't. She breaks a rule everyday. Why can't you? Why can't we all say no a few times? Or change our minds last minute? Why can't we refuse to be passive?

Truthfully, who wants to spend their entire life living like someone else? I'm not sure I want to wake up at 50 and realize i've spent my life living for the approval of everyone else. I want to define my own successes, and be confident in their merit.

I'm a strong believer in the now. The past and future are only constructed so we can easily organize events in our lives; the past and future only exist in relation to right now. Make a change or learn a lesson before the now becomes a memory. Doing so will bring you that much closer to finding yourself. 

I'm a girl who doesn't like to match her clothes. That's just not who I am. More power to the girls that have the tolerance to match their shoes and bag, but I personally just throw things together and hope for the best! If I don't like the combination, I know for next time to try something different. Simple. 

Discover what you like. Put your foot down against what you don't. Test the waters, then invite everyone else for a swim. 

xo

Sources: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-To-Find-Out-Who-You-Really-Are-by-Anne-Lamott#ixzz23R94XqVz

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Pearls of Wisdom - The Dalai Lama's 18 Rules for Living

Good Morning readers! Here's a little inspirational tidbit to get you started in the right direction this week. 

In 2000, The Dalai Lama released 18 solid rules to live by to achieve a successful life. Although I believe we should all create our own concepts of success, I've listed them all and highlighted a few of my favorites! Enjoy :)

• Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
• When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
• Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, Responsibility for all your actions.
• Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
• Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
• Spend some time alone every day.
• Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
• A loving atmosphere in your home in the foundation for your life.
• In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
• Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
• Be gentle with the earth.
• Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
• Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
• Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

xo

(sources: Glorelys Mora, HighExistance)

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