You’re So Vain October 12, 2014

It’s not my fault. Not technically, anyway. Something happened today that some might conceive to be a little (all right, a lot) vain on my part. But I promise you, it wasn’t me.

Around this time a year ago, I posted my proclamation on all things Halloween. I said we should instead of seeking to disguise or costume ourselves, we ought to embrace the things that make us unique. To stand proud, with our heads held high and our hearts beating strong. Because at the end of the day we are ourselves again. And (whether we realize it or not) who we are is something pretty special.

This year, all I can hear in my head right now is the Carly Simon classic “You’re So Vain.” Because yes, I think this song is about me. Today, I became someone who is not myself. Apparently there is some sort of contest in our area where I could win a prize for doggy-style dress up for Halloween.

So today, I became Yoda from “Star Wars.” Well, not really, but I sure looked a lot like him, thanks to the costume mom got me. After my initial embarrassment (and discomfort) wore off, I realized there are a lot worse characters to dress up as than a strong, powerful and wise one who is respected by many all over the world.

And, knowing him, he would advise me that what happened today doesn’t make me any less who I am. He would also tell me to “do or do not. There is no try.”

So, I ask you to forgive me (even though it’s not my fault). I abhor you to humor me, even though it might be conceived a little (all right, a lot) vain. Voting starts this week for this contest mom is entering me in, and I need your help. Please take a moment (or two) to vote for me, and spread the word to others to do the same!

I know it’s silly, but it’s another of my attempts to share joy, from the ground up with whomever will take it. Happy Howlaween, everyone!

To vote: http://99.1themix.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=149089

 

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On Making Mistakes May 8, 2014

It’s happened to the best of us. We looked back on something and thought to ourselves “self, that was not the best idea.” That was absolutely the wrong thing to do in that situation. That was a mistake.

But as I am in the business of not having any regrets, I have come to view such things as important (and almost necessary) pieces of anyone’s life puzzle. I do say this with some authority in the matter, as I (not unlike most characters) have a past worth considering. I’ve made questionable decisions.

Like the day I defended myself (and my dear little person at the time named Jo) against the man with the leather belt. And the time I jumped the fence in my attempt to escape from my first (failed) adoptive home in Port Washington. Or, most recently, the time I chased that rabbit around the neighborhood of my grandma’s house the night before mom had baby Carter. I gave my poor beloved forever mom an emotional heart attack that night that I still wish I could take back.

I’m not sure why I relived all of these images in my daydreams today. Or at least I wasn’t until I noticed something dear Carter did. One minute he was there in his jumping gismo, happy as ever. The next, he was not. He tried to get his big ole baby foot out of the jumper and ended up in a very uncomfortable position. Not sure whether he’ll make that mistake again.

But I suppose that is indeed the point of it all. Because let’s be honest. It has happened to the best of us. We’ve all done things in life that we find questionable later. Things we wish we could take back. Things we deem to be mistakes.

But, as usual, I agree with Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who challenged that “a life making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life doing nothing.” I think sometimes we need to make these mistakes to remind ourselves where we are at in life. We need to make these mistakes to remember the lessons from them. We need to make these mistakes to live.