August 2008
You fight sparingly.
There are some individuals in this world that are disgusting and impossible to ignore. Truly, it’s a charming combination of traits. Conventional wisdom is to pay them no mind and they’ll just go away, but sometimes the especially obnoxious are downright relentless in their pursuit of attention. Remember, your sanity, happiness, and self-esteem are most important and must stay afloat. So if...
You can break through barriers.
Lately, everywhere you turn, people are achieving things never before possible. You are too! You build on the accomplishments of your predecessors to do the things they dreamed you’d do. By not selling yourself short, you make it possible for the next generation to take a step further. Glass ceiling? Fuck that. You can break through barriers, both real and imaginary.
Today remind...
Untangle.
You know those terrible stories about dolphins getting tangled in tuna nets or turtles getting their heads stuck in those plastic soda rings? That can happen to us too (not the soda rings of course, our heads are too big), but, metaphorically, we can get wrapped up in other people’s garbage or trapped by a net that we have no business being in. Thank God we’re not marine life. We have the choice...
You are a force to be reckoned with.
A positive self-image is the best gift you can give yourself. It’s a gift you must protect with all your strength because it’s valuable and, like most valuable things, people will try to steal it from you. In the face of unobtainable beauty myths and destructive, restrictive standards, you have to wake up and tell yourself, “I’m beautiful. I’m strong. I’m a force to be reckoned with.” Because...
You don't have to be lonely.
When I first moved to New York, I spent a lot of time crying in my shower (good times). My loneliness was a little debilitating. I didn’t realize that there are clubs and support groups all over the world designed to help you develop a fellowship with your neighbors. Or, if you’re not a “joiner”, you could always go hang out at Denny’s or Borders… People are ready to talk your freaking ear off...
Can’t bring you down!
Does it feel like things are going right? Good, because they are. You’re the only one who truly needs to know how well you’re succeeding. People who love you (parents, friends, etc.) worry about you because, well, that’s their job. But their genuine concern doesn’t mean you’re not kicking ass and taking names. It just means they love you so try not to say, “Hey man, don’t put your shit on...
You only have your brain.
We can get very caught up in what other people think of us. Is so-and-so mad at me? Do they think I’m mad at them? We forget that, odds are, so-and-so is only thinking about so-and-so. It’s likely that they could give a shit about what we’re worried about because they’re worried about their own personal bag of bullshit. You’ll never know for sure. Probably best not to dwell on the inner...
You have follow-through.
Commendable person that you are, in tasks large and small, you have follow-through! If you agreed to do something, the rest of us can consider it done. Even if the job you agreed to do isn’t that important to you, you’ll do it because it’s important to someone else… unless it’s pretty freaking pointless… then maybe you can blow it off until next week. I mean seriously, it’s Sunday for...
It’s your time to celebrate.
The major milestones of life certainly call for celebration. But what about those everyday victories? Woo, you made yourself dinner!! Hell yeah, you were nice to your neighbors! Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate however you see fit.
Today remind yourself: It’s my time to celebrate.
You can afford to be picky.
You’ve worked hard on yourself. You’re educated in and can speak intelligently on subjects that interest you. You take good care of your appearance. You have self-respect and a generally positive outlook on life. You’re fun to be around. Face it- you’re a catch! It is my firm belief that your love interest should do as much work on his or herself as you do on yourself. Settling is beyond...
You’re not fucking joking.
You have good ideas and meaningful suggestions. You know your rights and you refuse to accept less than what you deserve. Because you’re a generally easygoing and likable person, some might assume that you needn’t be taken seriously. Those people are wrong and they have no idea who they’re dealing with. If you’re the leader, they’d better fucking fall in.
Today remind yourself: I’m not...
You’ll try something new.
Repeating an action but expecting a different outcome is insanity. At least that’s the word on the street. When you keep trying the same old thing but thinking, “This time will be better,” I hate to say it, but that is a little crazy. Change it up and maybe you’ll get the result you want.
Today remind yourself: I’ll try something new.
You’re special, but you don’t expect special...
You’re a unique individual. However, your troubles are universal. Flights are delayed, pets pass away, and people get dumped. (Ugh those things suck so hard; thinking about them makes me teary.) Life is not fair, you know this, and everybody feels it. That being said, rest assured that your personal pain is no more painful than that of the person next door. We’re all in this together. We’ll...
You can rock the look.
You’ve never been more beautiful than you are at this very moment. Like you, this moment is alive and full of promise. Don’t waste a second worrying that people will judge what you’re wearing. They will of course, but fuck them! Dress for you. You’re hot and you know it. You’ll look back and say, “I’m courageous,” and you’ll be right.
Today remind yourself: I can rock the look.
You might be speeding, but you're wearing your...
Ever eat a Big Mac with a Diet Coke? I see nothing wrong with that. Just because you indulge in one way, it doesn’t mean you have to indulge in every way. In the same sense, you don’t have to break EVERY rule… Just the ones you want to.
Today remind yourself: I might be speeding, but I’m wearing my seat belt!
You take your medicine like a big girl/boy!
Wah! I don’t wanna get on the flight! But I said I’d be there, so goddamnit, I’m going. There are some things that just have to be done because you know they’re the right thing to do. So you do them. It’s good for you and it’s nice of you. Yes, it kinda blows, but that’s part of being a grown up. It’ll be over before you know it.
Today remind yourself: I take my medicine like a big...
You're responsible for your feelings.
When someone hurts your feelings, it isn’t their job to make you feel better. It’s your job to take an action. There is no room in your daily life for hurtful people. If you allow your feelings to be their responsibility, they’re just going to break you down. When you don’t like how you’re feeling, you can change your mind. If you don’t like how someone else makes you feel, you can change...
You're impressive.
Think back to when you were little. Did you ever dream you’d be doing some of the amazing things you do today? Seriously, you’ve made the most of some incredible opportunities. People look at your accomplishments and think “Wow.” Hell, I’m impressed.
Today remind yourself: I’m impressive.
You know the code but you don’t have to use it.
Do you ever find that people seem to speak in code? One thing means another and they hint at what they really want to say. I think sometimes it’s easier to just blurt out what you mean. Ah, but there’s protocol to follow. You have to obey the rules and not say the wrong thing. Well, maybe today you don’t have to do that. Maybe today you can just say what you mean… you might be understood.
...
You harmonize.
Used to be, whenever someone taught me a harmony, I’d pretend to learn it and then just sing the melody anyway. I wasn’t confident enough to do my own thing and do it right. Then one day I decided to quit screwing around and to really harmonize… and it turned out to be pretty easy! Take a look at yourself in your surroundings. You’re doing your own thing (and doing it well) and you’re not...
You show up.
If you suit up and show up, that’s half the job right there. When you’re present you will learn something and you will help someone. It’s inevitable. So when you’re just not feeling it and the least you can do is show up, you’re actually doing quite a bit.
Today remind yourself: I show up.
You’re one classy broad/fella.
*Classic Sunday Morning Hookup Rationalization Pep Talk*
Sisterfriend, what you do in the bedroom in your business… but if you want to dish, I’m all ears! I think it’s nice to have company from time to time. You’re an adult and you make safe, adult decisions. Nobody is allowed to shame you for your choices. You’re by no means slutty or trashy and if anyone says you are, I’ll punch em right in...
Take the money and run!
When a total tool shed of a person does something generous for you, it can be very confusing. For example, maybe a rude, belittling, all around unappealing acquaintance insists on paying for your dinner. My best friendly advice: take the money and run. Not literally of course, but you just endured a painful meal with this person- now you want to pay for it too? No, thank you. If they insist...
You're passionate.
Just like the dedicated detectives of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, you are passionate. Not only do you invest time in your pursuits, you invest your heart. Maybe you’re intense with demons like Stabler. Maybe you’re strong yet soothing like Benson. Maybe you’re wry and skeptical like Munch. Without a doubt, you’re cool like Tutuola. And like the show, your content is edgy yet...
You’ve been rewarded with experience!
You can be proud that, in the span of your young life, you’ve tried a lot of things. Some things you enjoyed; some you didn’t. Some things turned out great; others, not so much. Whichever the case, be your memories pleasant or painful, you’ve absolutely come out braver for trying. That’s admirable, kid.
Today remind yourself: I’ve been rewarded with experience!
