Why I Have the Best Brother in the World

Quite honestly, the number one reason I am happy to be an adult is I finally realize how totally awesome my family is.  Actually, I always thought my parents were awesome, but not so much my siblings.   I am your typical oldest sister and with that comes bossiness and the need to control.  I have been working on my "mother hen" complex as I've become older, but I always have this overwhelming need to take care of my brother and sisters.  As a kid, I always felt years older and wiser, when in actuality I was not.  There are only three and half years from me to my sister Abbey, with our brother, Parker, in-between.  But with Parker taller (and smarter!) than me now, and Abbey always being mistaken for the older sister, I've been humbled…maybe my siblings won't necessarily say that…but I'm on my way!  And then there is Allison, who I will always be a mother hen to, being that she's 16 years younger than me.  Poor thing.  I hope she still loves me as an adult.  

Like I mentioned right off, I am so happy that I now realize how wonderful my siblings are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.  They have been a great support system and I learn from them all the time.  Growing up in the military and changing schools and friends so often, the only real steady relationship in my life has been with my siblings.  I love them a lot.  

Now, I want to tell you why I have the best brother in the world.  He's grown into a wonderful man, who always, and I mean always, takes the time to help his sisters when they need him.  I can't tell you how many times I have called him in absolute tears because a boy broke up with me, or because I had a bad day at school or work, or because I was feeling lonely.  And those phone calls were never short.  He listens patiently and lets me get it all out.  He has never complained and somehow always has the time to listen.  Besides the phone calls, he finds time to help me in other ways, like with my schoolwork or other projects.  Most recently, I got myself into a real bind, and Parker dropped everything to help.

Last month I had a photo shoot in Washington, DC (where my brother now lives).  I was hired to do head shots for a business.  I rented all the lighting equipment that I needed and decided to set everything up the night before to make sure all was working.  Well, I made a real amateur mistake, the worst I've ever made.  It involved melted plastic…which got all over one of my modeling lights.  Arrrgh.  I was in an absolute panic when I realized what I had done.  It was so stupid of me.  All worst case scenarios started running through my mind.  I thought I would have to replace the light, but I wouldn't have time to go and get a new light before the photo shoot the next morning.  And if the rental company saw what I did they would never let me rent from them again.  My brother, being the amazing chemist that he is, knew exactly what to do.  First of all, melted plastic gets really hot, really fast, and then cools and hardens even faster.  I thought it was going to be impossible to get it off.  Cool as can be, my brother turned the light back on to quickly heat the plastic and wipe off whatever he could before burning himself or damaging any more of the light.  Then, he spent the next few hours rubbing the light and bulbs with acetone.  Acetone is a miracle worker.  It took that hardened plastic off!  It took some time, but it was gone.  Completely gone!  I could hardly believe it.  And I could hardly believe that my brother spent that much time helping me out.  I went back, set up the lights again and did a few test shots and everything worked perfectly!  No problems, all was as good as new.  The next day, the shoot went well and when I returned my equipment, there were no issues.  I was incredibly thankful.  My brother helped me save a lot of money and also earn money because I didn't have to cancel the shoot. 

I have an awesome brother.  That pretty much sums it up.  I could not have asked for a better one.  He helps me in a so many ways.  I'm not sure what I would do without him. And what is really awesome,  he lets me and my sister take him shopping and pick out his clothes!  Yeah.  He's one of a kind. 

A few test shots right after he cleaned my light.  Parker says I never want to take his picture…I can't imagine why he would say that.  Such a stud, right?

Gwen

A few days passed before the reality of her passing on swept over me.  The heartache finally settled in when I opened an email from my father and

 read:

"Gwen Dalley Crandall passed away on May 13, 2013 at the Teton Valley Hospital."

The obituary was beautifully written and described her life in a way I think she would have liked.  It covered all of her accomplishments, talents, and significant lifetime achievements.  She was an artist, a musician, a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She loved nature, and God, and had a flair for classy style and eclectic tastes.     

As I read over these words, my thoughts and memories of my grandmother filled my mind.  So many were close to her.  So many have loved her and have had beautiful personal relationships with her.  I am just one of many, but a desire grew inside of me to share how I saw my grandmother through my own eyes and relay how she has been an influence for my life.  Several times I have sat down to paper or computer thinking to write out my thoughts and memories and send them off for others to read.  Sadness, emotion, and confusion knotted up inside me every time I tried.  How do I write about someone I love and fully express in words what she means to me?  She was such an amazing person.  The kind of person you rarely come across.  There truly are no words to describe this beautiful woman. You would have to meet her to understand what I mean.  And how I wish everyone could.  

If I were to paint her portrait, she would be a bird, a songbird with bright red wings.   She was always humming a tune wherever she went and scattered wildflowers all around her house for as long as I can remember.  In my eyes, she always stood out brilliantly, just like a bird.   

Lavender perfectly describes how she smelled.  I remember seeing little bouquets of dried lavender around her home to freshen up the rooms. I was with her for a short visit last summer and one day I picked lavender for her.  Before she had me bring out the vases, she sunk her face into the bundle and breathed in.  Then throwing her head back, she sang, "I LOVE lavender!" Her earrings swung from side to side as her vibrato moved through her entire body.  She was such an animated and enthusiastic woman.  She would sing her words whenever she was happy or excited, just like the old musicals she introduced to me as a little girl.  

The very first musical she ever had me watch was "Meet Me in St. Louis."  I may have only been five or six years old.  And in my young unknowing mind, I  honestly thought Judy Garland was my grandmother.  Her voice was so beautiful and sounded so much like my grandmother, she had to be the same person!  Of course, I somehow figured out that my grandmother wasn't a movie star, but the thought still amuses me.  To this day, thanks to my music loving grandmother, I would pick a musical over any other genre.  

Often, after watching a musical in her home, the desire to dress up in an eccentric costume would overtake me.  I wanted to be Ann Blyth in "Kismet", or Jane Powell in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."  And of course, Judy Garland was always a favorite of mine and I would dress up as Dorothy or Esther.  Trying to recreate Debra Kerr's voluminous gown in "The King and I" always presented to be a challenge for me, but grandmother would supply me with the scarves, sheets, and old lace curtains necessary to fulfill my little fashion fantasies.  She was a supporter of the arts and creativity.  In her her eyes, a woman needed pizzaz and gusto to be considered accomplished, otherwise, she was just plain old boring.  And who would want to keep company with a boring woman?  

Certainly, my grandmother was never boring.  I always admired this about her.  She kept her home life alive by setting her grand piano right in the middle of the living room.  No one could escape the classical music or the occasional boogie woogie that would explode from the keys.  She would keep her kitchen spicy and exciting by making up recipes on the fly and telling superstitious old tales to believing grandchildren.  She was always creating.  She would add her own personal touch to everything.  Linens were lined with her crocheted lace, little murals were painted on to her bookshelves, and tabletops were decorated with the flowers she grew in her garden.  Her home was made beautiful because she never stopped creating.

She had a favorite memory with me and I love that she told it every time I came to visit.  We were visiting in the Teton Valley.  I must have only been 5 years old.  One day Grandma decided to take me out hunting for mushrooms to make a soup.  I remember it was chilly, so she put her oversized trench coat around me.   She loved seeing my little body engulfed by her coat digging around in the dirt in the woods for little wild mushrooms.  She always told me I made up a word that I would use for mushrooms.  I could never remember this word because it was a mix between mushrooms and Snuffleupagus (I was obviously in my Sesame Street Phase), but Grandma knew exactly how I pronounced it and laughed every time she repeated it to me.  Still, I can't remember how I said it.  I am sure she would love telling me right now what word I used.  I can almost remember perfectly that day digging for mushrooms. 

More than anything, I love my grandma's dedication to her faith and family.  She was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was married to my grandpa in the Idaho Falls Temple.  They were married for over 58 years in this life.  She lived her faith and shared her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone around her.  Her faith influenced my faith.  Her dedication to marriage and family has certainly influenced mine.  Everyone she loved, she loved with her whole heart.  I always felt truly loved and wanted by my grandmother.  And I hope she always felt how much I loved her.

I am going to Idaho in a few weeks to see my grandfather.  Right now, it is hard for me to imagine that she won't be there when I arrive, but the beautiful thing about life is, it never ends.  I know I will see my grandmother again in the next life and that brings me tremendous comfort.  Jesus Christ made it possible for us to return to live with our families for eternity, and this truth has never been so real to me until now.  

I may not see her again in this life, but I will carry on to be the kind of woman she saw in me.  I will be a woman with pizzaz!  I will continue to watch those musicals.  I will paint, and plant, and fill my home with music.  And above all, I will live the gospel and love my family.  All in all, I hope to become the kind of amazing woman just like my grandmother.

(See the portraits of my grandparents from last summer.)

    

          

     

It's About the People You Meet

It has been awhile since my words have graced the blog scene, over four and half months to be exact.  Please excuse my hiatus.  Obviously, life does go on without my blog thoughts crowding the Internet, but in a way I have missed it and I am back to remind myself of what wonders life holds.  Just as my journal has often come to a halt, I fell victim to boredom with my blog as well.  My excuses have been the same as before:  tired, bored, lack of excitement for life.  But I made a goal to write and I need to accomplish it.  And accomplish it I will!  Here I am again with high hopes to keep up my writing.  So, welcome back. 

I have the flu.  Maybe that is actually why I found the time to write.  I have nothing better to do.  Lame excuse, perhaps, either way, I am here.  I hate the flu.  And no, I don’t believe in flu shots.  Be disgusted if you must, but the last time someone in this family got a flu shot, everyone came down the flu, including the family that was visiting us.  There were lines at every bathroom door…I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.  Flu shots just don’t seem to go well for this family.  So, once a year, almost like clockwork, I come down with the flu.  I endure it for a few days and then I am as good as new.  This year’s, though, has been a particularly bad case.  I started my new job at the middle school on Friday.  Monday morning my throat was swollen and my head was pounding.  I knew I was sick, but I didn’t want to call in on my second day of work.  I went to take a shower and next thing I knew, I was laying down on the bathroom floor completely disoriented.  I had passed out.  Ugh.  I had to call in sick.  I was so out of it that I had to have my mother call the middle school.  Talk about flash back to the life of embarrassing adolescence!  I am 26 this coming Sunday and I had to have my mom call in sick for me.  Oh life.  Sometimes I feel as if my real life will never begin.  I am trapped in this phase of transition from college life to true adulthood.  I know I am not the only one feeling this.  Am I waiting for something?  Or am I truly pushing forward seeking the fullest of life?  That I cannot tell you. 

Before I take a turn for the worst into dramatic, deep, and thoughtful, I will stop myself and write about my summer.   And yes, it was an amazing summer.  The wonderful blessing about being significantly underemployed and living with my parents is the amount of flexibility I have.  I have been able to travel, travel, travel and visit old friends and family and experience new places and eat delicious food.  Because really, eating delicious food is incredibly important to my life. 

So this is how my summer went:

MAY

I love the month of May.  Growing up, May meant the end of school and the beginning of adventure.  The childhood magic I felt in the month of May has stayed with me since.  Even though I am no longer in school, May still holds a hopeful “Long, Hot, Summer” and fills me with excitement for the months ahead.  This May fulfilled its promise of a wonderful summer and I am sad it is almost to an end.    

Mid-May I drove down to Philadelphia with my mom and explored the city as well as Amish country.  It was beautiful!  While down there I also went to an old friend’s wedding.  I love weddings!  I went to a lot this summer.  I feel like this summer was the summer of weddings.  But of course, ever since I entered my 20’s, every summer has felt that way.  This wedding, though, was a great way to start off my summer.  Before I went to see her, I looked at old messages from years ago that we had written describing boy problems and frustrations with dating.  Then I saw her at the wedding so blissfully happy with life and her new husband.  She told me that night that even though she had a lot of disappointments in dating, she wouldn’t change a thing.  She found her man, and it was worth the wait.  Goodness, her optimism and happiness certainly blessed me with a new perspective on dating.  Wise words right there.  Thanks, Courtney!

Courtney and her Husband

JUNE

June was crazy busy.  My dad, little sister, and I decided to go to Idaho and Utah for ten days.  There were weddings to go to and friends and relatives to see, plus I needed a serious break from my golf course job.  Believe me, I was incredibly grateful to have a job, but standing behind a desk all day selling golf balls for five months straight warrants a break.  So off I went on a grand adventure out west. 

My little sister, Allie has never experienced Idaho and Utah.  She went there once as a baby, and I doubt she remembers much.  She had her eyes opened while in Utah.  We are an LDS family, my dad graduated from BYU, and I was born in Provo, Utah.  Typical of an LDS family.  But as soon as my dad headed off to graduate school when I was five, we haven’t been back since.  While in Utah we went to Temple Square and Allie learned all about the LDS church history.  But it still didn’t connect that Mormons settled Utah.  While at Lagoon (the local theme park, wahoo!)  there was a display about the LDS church settling Utah Valley.  Allie ran over to my dad and I and said, “Look!  There are Mormons here!  They’re talking about our church!”  My dad and I couldn’t help but laugh!  Allie never knew that Utah is FULL of Mormons.   It absolutely amazed her when we told her that Utah is pretty much half Mormon.  She never knew.  Haha!  I suppose that makes sense since she’s only ever lived in Hawaii and Germany. 

On a ride at Lagoon with my Dad and Allie

Allie experiencing her first Icee ever!

I met up with so many wonderful friends in Utah and Idaho.  My friend circle in New York is rather small, so it was such a joy to be around people I love.  I had the chance to do several photography sessions as well.  Lots of love going around and I was so happy to be apart of it.

Emily and baby girl Kailyn, Me, and Mariah

My friend Enea, pretending to be taller than me.

Camping and Canoeing in Idaho

JULY

I had to go back to work.  So, I endured another month of the golf course and picked up more work at the Arts and Crafts Center.  I started teaching sewing classes on top of my photography classes.  Let me tell you a little secret….I am not much of a sewer.  In fact, I despised it most of my life.  My mother is a BRILLIANT quilter and seamstress.  She does wonders with a needle and thread.  She tried for years to get me interested in sewing.  She finally was able to convince me to start a quilt this year.  That’s when it all started.  I have been working on a quilt for months using my basic sewing skills.  When I took the job working part time at the Arts and Crafts center they asked me if I sew. “Uh.  Yes.  I mean, well, I know basic sewing.  I mean, yeah, I’m good.”  That was my answer, “basic” being the keyword.  When I found out I had the job, I ran home and told my mom that she needed to teach me how to sew! I have sewed skirts and pajama pants in the past, but I wasn’t ever any good.  I got that job in April, and luckily I had a whole month to prepare for my first sewing class.  It went well.  And then we hit a dry spell (THANKFULLY) and I had time to practice sewing.  In July we went full steam ahead with sewing projects and we haven’t slowed down since.  Really, it has been a wonderful experience for me.  I am learning and growing every day and I love it!  Just don’t tell anyone at Arts and Crafts.

On top of work I had the chance to get away for a weekend to Maine with my family and see where my mom lived as a little girl.  It smelled like fish and beans.  But it was gorgoues!  I also had my first real lobstah.  Allie had to close her eyes while I pried apart the little beast.  She kept yelling, “You are so cruel!” And cruel it was!  But delicious, too.  Yum. 

My dad and I eating delicious lobster.

And with another stroke of luck (or divine intervention, whichever way you’d like to look at it) I was able to go to Palmyra for a few days and see one of my old mission companions, Christina.  She lives in Canada just north of the border of New York.   When I found out she was going to be in Palmyra I knew I couldn’t miss the chance to see her.  So, I drove through the New York boonies (boonies do exist in New York) and met up with her in Palmyra.  It was a wonderful visit as we explored the area together.  Too many wonderful emotions to share here, but let me just say, it was quite the experience.  I know there are people we are meant to meet in this life who will change us for the better.  And she is one of them.

Christina and I in Palmyra

AUGUST

I quit the golf course and left for Arizona, Utah, and Idaho.  Yes, I went back out west.  I had no plans to go out west again for the rest of the year, but then my best friend got engaged.  And what’s a girl to do?!  Miss her best friend’s wedding? Noooooo.  I wasn’t going to miss it for the world!  So, I went to Arizona for ten days and enjoyed all of the last minute wedding plans and parties and amazing food.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful.  I cried.  A lot.  When I am overwhelmed with happiness, I can’t hold back the tears!  I think I did a pretty good job of concealing them from public view, though.  I was also her wedding photographer and I did her hair (the hair part made me more nervous than the photography part!) and it all turned out wonderfully.  She is so happy.  And I am so happy for her. 

Clarice and Spencer on their Wedding Day

My brother drove down from Idaho to attend the wedding as well and to pick me up and take me back to Idaho.  On his way through the Utah desert, his car broke down.  Oh my gosh.  Never, ever, ever do I want that to happen to me!  He handled it like a man though.  He was able to get his car towed to a mechanic and rent another car to come down and get me.  The only car available though was a brand new hot red beetle!  Oh we were a sight zooming around the west with the little red-hot beetle.   More strangers talked to me than ever because of that car!  It was an adventure, that’s for sure.  We zipped through Utah and spent a week in Idaho zooming around the countryside and up and down mountains.  By the end, I grew attached to that little beauty and it will forever remain in my heart.   No joke. 

Parker with our Beetle in Arizona

While out west, I was once again able to push forward with photography. When I wasn’t zipping around in a beetle, I filled my time with family and engagement portrait sessions.  What a joy it is for me to photograph.  I love it more than anything and to have so many people trusting me with their pictures makes me feel so blessed.   Thanks to all of you who have given me those wonderful opportunities!

NOW

I am back in New York.  I am still taking life one day at a time, but so far, it seems to be working out for me.  Looking back on this wonderful summer that I have had I am so grateful for the people I have met, the friends I have made, and the old friendships that I have been able to rekindle.   I worry a lot about my future and panic over big decisions I have had to make.  I don’t know where I am headed and I don’t know what’s next for me, but a friend just reminded me that life is more about the people you meet.  Like I mentioned earlier, there are people I know we are meant to meet.  And I have seen in my own life that many of the big decisions I have made were based just on that.  Often I do not know why I need to take a particular job or move to a particular place or even go to a particular school.  But in every circumstance it has turned out that there was someone there I was supposed to meet.  I truly believe that. 

Now, I am off to work on photography since I have fallen behind due to this ridiculous illness.  Wish me luck!  And I will be back again soon….though I am sure the next blog post will not be as long.  (Relief, right?!) 

Sistah, Schwester

"Sister! Sister!" (sing it loud!)

Abs and I used to watch that show religiously. That show tune is now most likely playing through your head. Sorry...it's playing through mine, too. But I find it delightfully annoying, like a little puppy.

Fact: I have the best sisters, ever. I have the best brother, too. Love you long time bro, peace, holla!

(Do people say "holla" anymore? By using that word, I'm either dating myself or proving how incredibly white I am. #wishiweregangsta)

Getting back to the point, my sister Abigail aka Abs, Aberooski, Abberoonios, Abacus, Abbers (please feel free to use all of the above: ABBEROONISKIURS) is turning 22 tomorrow. Take this as my tribute to my ever loving goober face.

Abs (as she will hence forth be known) is my best friend, my silly friend, my honest friend, and my perfect friend. As today is her birthday I get a little misty eyed and pout just a tad because, you see, she is in the great land known as Texas. She's a missionary and I cannot see her for another 11 months. I am so incredibly proud of her and happy for the amazing service she is doing, but darn it all, a sister needs her sister sometimes. What is it about Texas anyway?! It sucks people in and never spits them out again. Maybe it releases the outer shell of the human body as a decoy, but the soul is forever captured and nailed to every longhorn out there. Gah. I will keep myself removed from the (almost) biggest state in the US of A so I can retain my freedom of choice. I bet all you Texas lovers are hating me right now. Love ya'll!

Yeah. Like I said, I could not have asked for a more amazing sister (the Allie monster is just as equally amazing, so it's a major tie in a really good way). She's funny, talented, loving, and drop dead gorgeous. She let's me pat her nose and squish her cheeks, even though she hates being touched on the face. That's true love right there! She cooks, she's clean, and so creative! And no one can do french accents like her. Not even the French! Sorry, French people. My sister is just that cool.

I don't think Abs and I have ever been in a fight before. Maybe we've yelled at each other, but no fight. We've never been competitive or jealous of each other. So you think that is thanks to me? Not at all. It's all Abbers. She has always been selfless and oh so loving (not to mention lovable).

EXAMPLE:

When I was 8 and she was 4, we both received Odette barbie dolls for Christmas (you know? From swan princess?). We both fell asleep that night with our beautiful and flawless dolls. Well, her's was flawless, but mine had one problem: my odette's hair was not as curly as Abbey's. So, while she was dreaming of swan princesses and prince Derricks, I slipped her doll from under her arms and switched dresses with my odette. I slipped my flawed Odette back under Abbey's arms and snuggled back to sleep with her's, maliciously happy knowing my deceit had worked! Yes. She never found out I had switched dolls. That's the kind of sister I am. Abbey would never dream of doing something so awful! She makes cookies and cakes just to give away, and never to satisfy her own sweet tooth. She leaves little love notes tucked under pillows and taped on mirrors just because and she never says a bad word about anyone. Can she be more wonderful?

And this, ladies and gentlemen is why she is the best sister.

On Abs' 6th Birthday

Working on a photo assignment together in Rexburg

Abs and Al in Germany

Me and my Sistah

At the NY train station

Right before an Army Football game at West Point

In Germany with meine Schwester

Story of My Life

Yes....I drew this while at work. Ha.
Medium:  ball point pen on water stained notebook paper pulled out from behind the trash.

Choose to be Happy

Shamefully I write at 12:58am.  I know I should be in bed.  I will regret this late night when 7:15am rolls around with my little sister shouting in my ear, “WAKE UP JANA!”  The word SHOUT cannot even describe how loud that exclamation will be in six hours.  I decided that my bed was calling my name at about 10:30pm.  I ran upstairs, put on my favorite sweat pants and readied myself for sleep.  Then, I had the brilliant idea to check my email.  Which then led to me writing a few emails.  Which then led to checking out a few photography blogs, which then led to MORE photography blogs, and voila! Here I am:  2.5 hours later, my mind buzzing with thoughts and inspirations and ideas and planning.  Oh.  I exhaust myself with just thinking!  So, to calm my running thoughts, here I am writing them all down.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get some sleep after this…

I wrote about goals in my last note.  I have been thinking a lot about goals and a lot about accomplishing them.  These thoughts were all inspired by a recent letter I received from my dear sister, Abs.  Let me jot down a few lines from that beloved letter:

Jan, are you happy??  I want you to be happy.  I would do anything to make you happy.  The Lord knows what he’s doing with you.  He wants you to be happy, too.  That’s all He wants for you.  I just want you to remember—AND DON’T roll your eyes or discount this just because I’m your sister—YOU’VE GOT THE FULL PACKAGE…you’ve got it all.  I hope you’re finding ways—never mind, I know you are—but finding ways to stay happy, REALLY happy.  When I’m feeling down about myself, I make goals.  Lots of good, healthy goals!  Now’s the time to do it!

Now besides realizing I have been blessed with the most amazing, beautiful sister when reading these words, I also realized that she’s right!  Goals are a wonderful way to stay happy and feel good about myself.  And that’s why I write them and do all that I can to accomplish them.  I never consider a goal failed or unfulfilled.  If I didn’t accomplish it the first time around, I try again.  I just simply haven’t finished it…yet…but I will!  And that mind set keeps me from being down on myself. 

Are you finding ways to stay happy?

Why is it so easy to be down on yourself?  My mother and I were having a discussion recently about blogs, Pinterest, facebook, twitter, and more blogs.  There is so much information out there and so many people are accomplishing amazing things!  Everyone seems so talented these days!  My mother told me that when she was my age, people were not even THINKING to create things that my generation creates.  It really is amazing, but I am afraid it can be another way to feel down on oneself.     Look at ALL these amazing people photographing and sewing and cooking and decorating.  OH MY GOODNESS.   And then the thoughts start to creep in…I’m not good enough.  I don’t have the right equipment.  I don’t have the money I need to start a project like that.  I wish I were that original.  I’m guilty, and chances are, you are, too. 

Instead of wasting my time looking at website after website (which I have very clearly been guilty of tonight) and PLANNING to be as amazing at So and So, I need to stop worrying about being better than them, and just get out and do.  Just DO.  Be confident, and be happy.  Live my life, and not try and live another’s or compare myself to them.  I have worked the last 25 years to not compare myself to others, and goodness, it is not easy.  I’m still young and I do not want to spend the next 60 years comparing my skills and looks and abilities to those of others.

Do you have any secret tips on how to be confident?  I would love to be let in on your little secret.

My secret is to choose to be happy with what I have. 

I learned this from my mother.  When I was nine years old, I was teased a lot for my looks.  I remember being constantly teased about how big my lips and teeth were.  Truly, my mouth was too big for my face.  (Thankfully, not many pictures exist of me in this state).  One girl in particular teased me on a daily basis.  I remember coming home crying to my mom because girls told me my lips were fat.  My mother pulled out a picture book that I had and opened to a painting of a grown woman with beautiful black eyes, the perfect little nose, and huge, voluptuous lips.  I remember thinking she was stunning.  My mother then said, “Grown women pay a lot of money to have their lips as big as yours.  You’ll have beautiful lips when you’re older.”  I chose then and there to be happy about my lips.  I was still teased, but eventually, my face grew into my lips, my teeth were straightened out (read more about my adventure here) and now I laugh when I think how silly it was that girls used to tease me for having full lips.  Women really do pay to have lips like mine! But the object of this story is that you may not always be able to change how you look or be better than someone else at a particular sport or hobby, but you can choose to be happy with what you have to offer.  And I have learned that what I have to offer is often much more than I realize.  (That goes for you, too!)

So, world of stellar blogs and über accomplishments, I am not afraid of you.  I will not let you get me down.  I will be happy for other people’s accomplishments and I will be happy for my own. 

Get off the computer already and go out and do something that makes you happy!

Or go to bed.  Which is what I am about to do.