Last week, Charlotte posted a list of weird things about her. Things that, maybe, no one would ever want to know. Well, after reading the list, not only did I want to know these things, but I was most of these things. I mean, doesn’t everyone avoid taking the first item on the shelf or rack in a store? The items in back are better, right? And doesn’t everyone want clean feet when getting into bed? Washing your feet before putting them on clean sheets is normal, right?
I thought so.
I think we worry to much, though, and I know I do. I think we worry that we have this myriad of things about us that make it almost impossible to think about anything else. Impossible to believe that we or anyone else ought to be able to look past them. Which is silly, I know. But it also makes me so very thankful that I have at least a few people in my life that can look past them, or are at least being paid very well to fake it. Either works for me, really, it’s still a benefit.
What I haven’t always had, however, is the benefit of knowing enough to tell myself that these weird qualities are okay. Here’s what I’d tell myself a few years ago, especially during those really tough times when I was certain I was just too different from anyone else:
- Everyone has things they do not like about themselves.
- Everyone has days when they don’t feel in control.
- Everyone has done something embarassing that they’d never tell anyone else about.
- No one knows what’s going to happen next.
- No one has confidence every day.
- We all get discouraged sometimes, in a lot of different ways, for a lot of different reasons.
- You are on a really short trip. Do not waste it on people that can’t seem to love you for who you are.
- Faith will carry you when you don’t feel like you can go on.
- You will not get to exchange your body in ten years. Take care of it, appreciate it, and don’t take no for an answer when you need to fix it.
I definitely could have stood to hear that a few years ago. Or maybe I just need to hear it now.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a great list, but what are your weird qualities? Give us the dirt! (I too will never take the first item in the rack. Stuff in back “is” better!)
I love this post, it’s so encouraging. Thanks!
Amen!
I think I need to print this out and tape it up all over my house.
Everyone has things they do not like about themselves.
In my younger days, a lot of this angst was trying to figure out who I really was. Not in the trying to find myself way but in the really, who the hell am I way. Also, knowing that who we are isn’t static, that it’s constantly changing is something that helps me with the other things on your list.
amen sister. we really do all have our own brands of weird. it makes us unique.
This tip is for free.
You are NEVER in control of your life.
Thank you for this. I needed to hear this today.
I’m onboard for everything but the thing so embarrassing you wouldn’t tell anyone. I have a compulsive need to tell the embarrassing stuff, which I suppose is also embarrassing. Isn’t that why we have best friends? So we can tell the really embarrassing stuff? The way I see it, the only difference between profoundly embarrassing and the funniest story you’ve ever told is the time it takes you to figure it out.
Let’s just say, I keep my best friend laughing
Agree with all those others up there. I”m keeping this post handy. Thank you.
Ah such very good words of wisdom. Why can’t we all remember that?