Being Your Authentic Self

My pearls of wisdom are these: have faith, a sense of humor and do something completely random. God will always have your back if you just let Him. Don’t take everything so seriously. Bring levity to your life daily because it really is the best medicine.

Help a complete stranger if you can, because the blessings will come back to you tenfold and you can impact their life (as well as yours) in a positive way. Whether it’s a helpful hint, a smile in passing or giving a kid change at the checkout because Mom didn’t quite have enough in her purse, everyone can benefit from that one seemingly insignificant act.

It’s validation from another human being that you see them, that you care and they matter. We all do. We just don’t bother to acknowledge each other like we should. I try to make a concerted effort to give a hi-howdy-thank you whenever I can because it makes a difference, whether you see its effects or not. In other words, be random.

And so what if I’m random? Who cares if I wear hippie-type clothes and a cowboy hat? It’s what I like and that’s how I roll. May not be everyone’s flavor but at least I’m being my true and honest self. So should you. Don’t worry about what others have or have not. You don’t need to keep up with the Jones’ OR your friends because this is YOUR life, not theirs. Do YOU. BE you!

Even if you get disapproving looks, snide remarks or angry epithets from strangers and friends, at least you’re living life on your own terms with a happy heart. Trust me, they’ll get glad in the same pants they got mad in and if they are your true friends, they won’t care. If they just can’t get over it, don’t hold a grudge. Besides, holding a grudge is like letting someone live in your head rent free. Pass.

My friends, it’s a dog-eat-dog world and sometimes, you wear Milk Bone underwear. But you figure out a way to pry the dogs off your tail, put one foot in front of the other and keep on truckin’, despite the fact that some folks might think the cheese slid off your cracker. Lots of folks think that about me but I don’t care.

I realized that when I’m on my death bed, I don’t want to sing my coulda-woulda-shouldas and regret what I have or haven’t done. I want to prepare to meet my Maker with a smile on my face, reflecting on what I’ve been able to accomplish with my life. I want to stick my tongue out and give raspberries to those who couldn’t embrace me for my wanton individualism just because it was a bit too left of center for them.

I’m thankful to have had what I always wanted… a life well and truly lived. You can’t ask for more than that!