What are we waiting for?

     Why is it that we are always waiting?  We often look back and wish we had done this or that or are waiting for those perfect moments where everything falls into place and life begins just like in the movies.  Some of us are held back by fear, romanticism, or even bitterness.  We let these emotions dictate our lives and put us in ruts that are hard to escape from.  We loose sight of what's really important.
      At the end of the day all we have are the people we love. Too often I have taken advantage of the people in my life, especially family, because they'll always be there for you, so it shouldn't matter how you treat them.  That's what I used to think at least.
      Over the past 12 months I have had over a dozen moles removed from various locations all over my body.  Almost every one of them have come back severely atypical, one being "wild" that greatly concerned my dermatologist.  He has told me that I need to stay out of the sun and cover myself as much as possible and slather what's exposed with the highest SPF on the market. He then explained to me that due to my family history the possibility of cancer is highly probable.  Being told that skin cancer is a huge risk for you before you even turn 30 is a hard one to swallow. It's changed me, but for the good.  With each incision I grow more and more determined to stop holding back in life and waiting around for something to happen.  I don't want one more day to go by without making a difference in someone else's life or deepening a relationship I already have.  There is no way to determine or know when it's going to be our time.  You can be healthy and still pass away young or be a junk food junkie and live to 107.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us, so let's stop acting like we have 30, 40, 50, or even 60 years left to live and be more purposeful about our time today.  I know this is hard in our fast past American lifestyle but just try it, I guarantee you'll like the results!

Until we meet again...
       

As summer approaches

       As summer approaches, things begin to come alive again, temperatures rise, and we, as the human race, become keenly aware of our bodies.  It's almost as if one day you wake up and wonder where did this body come from and how did I get so pale?!  You immediately begin regretting all those late night binges with girlfriends in elastic pants and over sized sweat shirts and all those nights of burgers and beers with the guys.  You might even have to go way back to all of Grandma's cookies, pies, and fruit cake from the holidays that decided to stick around a lot longer than they were welcome.
      So what's the best and fastest solution?  Well if you're anything like me it's rushing to the nearest tanning salon for a quick fix spray tan, because tan fat looks better than white fat right?  Or if you're brave you might even search Pinterest for a homemade self tanning concoction that you pray ends well.  Retail stores know exactly how we feel this time of year and decide that they should prey off of our weaknesses and make us buy every new tanning product in their stores.  This never goes well, you end up using your entire paycheck and at best end up looking like some creature that resembles an oompa loompa or a dorito.
      Why then do we repeat this nonsense year after year?  Because most of us want to belong and feel accepted.  We want to be the girl that's turning heads and the guy that all the girls want and swoon over.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to be wanted.  It's healthy and a sign that you are alive and human!  But when we begin to allow society and everyone around us dictate who we should be and what we should look like we begin to lose a part of who we are.  We can push our real selves so far down sometimes that even we forget who we are.  How can our need to be wanted and even accepted be fulfilled when we aren't even being ourselves?!
      So today, rock your pale body and pass out sunglasses to strangers if they need them as you pass by. And if you can let someone see a part of you that you have kept locked up or pushed down for so long, because you are amazing and there is no one else like you out there. Don't waste your uniqueness being like everyone else, be you.

Until next time...

Falling apart to fall into place...

        Ever have that moment when you think everything around you is falling apart?  Like there's not one more thing that can go wrong or your heart hurt any more?  Sometimes it's hard to see past what we are being faced with and see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Sometimes we don't know if we can get out of the bed or if it's worth it or even safe enough to do so.  Facing a death, a breakup, abuse, failing at something you've worked at for so long, getting passed over for a promotion, or loosing a friend isn't easy and no one should take the gift of grieving away from you.  Having the ability and opportunity to grieve is so important and gives you the strength to move on.  There is a part of us that can never truly move on until we have allowed ourselves to be sad about what you have lost.
        I don't know your life and I will never act or assume that I do, but I do know my life and how within every situation I have been faced with it, good has happened.  The process of falling apart to help something fall into place is never enjoyable.  It's quite painful in fact.  Sometimes it's not until years later that you even know why some of the things happened in your life.  My life has been full of ups and downs, times of sheer joy and others of pure terror and brokenheartedness.  But through it all I knew there had to be a purpose and that it was for a greater good.
        Today if you are facing something difficult, take your time to mourn; if you have mourned my hope for you is that you see where things fell into place; and if you are lighthearted and face nothing but sunshine, count your blessings and don't let anyone take away your smile or feel bad for doing well.

Until we meet again...