The path less taken...

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is one of my most favorite quotes. One of the things that is important to me regarding myself and others is being an individual. Living the life that best represents you; that you will be proud to look back on- the life that you would want your children to emulate. Creating your legacy and to sum it all up in a neat little package- living your truth. So many people foster these archaic delusions that they are supposed to be doing certain things- be it go to school and be something that your family/parents expect you to. Or get married young, have babies and "live the dream". For many this is self imposed, while for others it's societal or family pressure to get you to conform or meet others expectations.

Maybe I'm lucky to have parents who encouraged me to be myself, but the thought of doing something because a) others are doing it b) it's expected c) it's easy- is not reason enough. It never has been. Peer pressure was never an issue. I never thought anyone was cool enough to follow if I didn't MYSELF think that what they were doing was what I wanted to do. My grandma said I was born knowing who I was- that probably helped a lot.

SO who am I?

I'm the girl who:
-at the stop light who's window is open, and music is up dancing and singing- who then turns and smiles while you watch her. who blows kisses at the angry drivers who flip her off.
-doesn't care what they're wearing on the streets of Paris/Milan/London...because odds are it won't fit my short curvy body. and is completely happy about it. who wants to wear what everyone else is?
-no matter how much trouble it would be, would go out of her way to make your day/bed/tummy and life/ full asking nothing in return but your love/grattitude.
-will almost always be down for karaoke.
-wants to travel the world and devour it like a summer-ripe, juice dripping down your arm nectarine.
-believes that kindness/a hug/a snack/a nap is the answer to all of lifes problems.
-believes in karma/wishes/magic/love.
-would have no problem: describing the 'feeling' a color has/how to make dinner from almost nothing/sleeping under the stars/changing a tire/explaining a safety bunt <thanks Greg>/direct you which way is North/drive to where you are in the middle of the night b/c you need me/ but couldn't help you with anything mathematical.
-worked really hard to be open about growing up a Messianic Jew. And will verbally punch you in the face if you tell me it means I'm not really Jewish.
-shamelessly wears her heart on her sleeve (remember a few blog entries ago? It's a reoccurring theme)
-is learning to find comfort in the silence that used to compel me to talk incessantly.
-will stand up for what is right even if it's not cool.
-managed to find peace from within during the most chaotic times of her life.
-will always be herself even if it means people won't like her as much.
-will defend her friends to the end. It takes a lot to make me end a friendship. I've only done it twice....I'm still friends with my ex- so that says a lot. Those people were toxic and their misery makes me feel terribly sad for them and their friends and loved ones. (I mean that in a genuine way and not in a condescending way even though it seems that way)
-can open an avocado in her sleep, cuts a mango in a way that makes it super easy to eat, and always cooks with love.
-learns every day that my flaws are ok because somebody will find them beautiful and that it's ok to be vulnerable. the right people won't exploit it.
-is never jealous of her friends because I'm happy when good things happen to the people I love.
-will never cut down another person to make myself feel better.

I feel like that was a sales pitch- but sometimes I like to take inventory of myself, who I am as a reminder that it's ok to be imperfect and also just as ok to like who you are. Even if others see it as conceited- and not confident.