What if, one day, you were forced to be nothing but your bare self? What if there was nothing left of “you” but who you really are, deep down to the core and it was out in the open for everyone to see? Would you be alright with that?
In a sense, that’s what the stroke has done to Gheegee and it’s made me think about who I’m “training” myself to be. What if that day comes when something happens to me and all my brain knows to do is to show my honest-to-God personality? Is that scary? It shouldn’t be.
There’s something so attractive about someone who’s real and unafraid, it’s unexplainable. I’m not saying we should go pouring our inner souls out to the world. No one cares. There’s a clear difference between pouring out your soul and being real with people. We’ve become so used to covering ourselves up in one way or another so the world doesn’t have to see who’s really there. Sure, who you are may not be the norm or may not win the popular vote. Thank God. Someone’s gotta step out of the box.
Something else Gheegee’s stroke has shown me: the importance of a positive attitude. When that bare, unprotected personality comes out, who’s going to take care of it? I’ve decided if I “train” myself to be positive, if that time comes when I’m literally out of my mind, that’s all I’ll know how to do is stay positive and work my way through the battle. Just like any good Marine: equipped and ready for any fight that comes her way.
An important lesson from GySgt Cannady: It’s not the “practice makes perfect” that counts, it’s the perfect practice that makes a difference. Okay, so you can’t be perfect at life, but what I’m trying to say is that persistent, conscious effort toward a positive outlook on life can make all the difference. Yeah, there are plenty of times when it seems like everything is wrong in the world, but there’s a heck of a lot to be happy about as well.
Final words? Find something you absolutely love. If it’s clothes, shopping, and fashion, go for it. If that’s what drives your core, go all out. If you’re a sucker for knitting and classical music, that’s cool too. Make a list. Make a list of those things that make you really, really happy and pursue them. Dwell on them and make them your passions. Wake up and appreciate those things, even if they’re small. What’s that list look like for you? Here’s a (small) version of mine. Who knows, maybe I’ll make some of these things blog topics…
Salvation
Family
Books (Not necessarily reading them)
Two-stepping with a great partner
Working cattle
Watching the sun come up
Runnin’
Making people laugh
Outdoors
Myself <---Not so proud of that one
Honest friends
Cowboys
Writing
Friday, July 22, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
...
6 weeks and I have no idea where to start.
Okay, so it was the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. The first question most people have asked me is, "Well, how was it?" Pretty basic question, so I give a straightforward answer, "I loved it." After they hear that, they give me a look like I'm crazy and just kind of shake their head.
But I'm not lying. Yeah, OCS was a challenge and it was mentally tough at times, but I loved what I was doing and want more. All in all, I can't wait for next summer. A lot of candidates think about how much they were losing by going to OCS (everyday luxuries, family, etc.) but I can't help think of all the things OCS gave me. I am now just a better person: more disciplined, more level-headed, a better decision maker...all the qualities I see in strong leaders have been dug out from my depths and brought to the surface.
OCS gave me some of the best and coolest friends I could ask for. The 27 females that stuck it out for the entirety of training are among the best people I've ever met. We worked together and built a bond that no one can possibly break. No one will take that away from us. Whether they go back for SR's or not, we share an accomplishment that will hold us close forever.
So many people don't understand or don't approve of the military and the Marines in particular, but I have just a few words for those people. It's understandable that you don't understand why the military is the way it is, but until you've been part of it or dealt closely with it, you have no room to speak ill words of our armed forces. Things are done the way they are for a reason and it's because of that system that this country remains the strongest force in the world. I am so grateful for the Marine Corps and what it does for not only our country, but for our allies and for those countries and provinces that struggle for freedom and human rights. It's truly an amazing organization (if you can call it that) and deserves the utmost respect, even if you aren't a member or don't particularly care for the military.
I am absolutely honored to be on the path to becoming a Marine Corps officer. The enlisted Marines deserve even more respect because they're the ones who truly run the Corps. "Semper Fi" means so much more to me than ever because I will always be faithful to the Corps and to my country. Faith in yourself, faith in God, and faith in your fellow Marines can carry you through anything, so Semper Fi, y'all. Have faith in all that you do and know that somewhere, somehow, there's a Marines who's got your back.
I'll share OCS stories with y'all as they come to me but for now, we'll just leave it at that.
Okay, so it was the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. The first question most people have asked me is, "Well, how was it?" Pretty basic question, so I give a straightforward answer, "I loved it." After they hear that, they give me a look like I'm crazy and just kind of shake their head.
But I'm not lying. Yeah, OCS was a challenge and it was mentally tough at times, but I loved what I was doing and want more. All in all, I can't wait for next summer. A lot of candidates think about how much they were losing by going to OCS (everyday luxuries, family, etc.) but I can't help think of all the things OCS gave me. I am now just a better person: more disciplined, more level-headed, a better decision maker...all the qualities I see in strong leaders have been dug out from my depths and brought to the surface.
OCS gave me some of the best and coolest friends I could ask for. The 27 females that stuck it out for the entirety of training are among the best people I've ever met. We worked together and built a bond that no one can possibly break. No one will take that away from us. Whether they go back for SR's or not, we share an accomplishment that will hold us close forever.
So many people don't understand or don't approve of the military and the Marines in particular, but I have just a few words for those people. It's understandable that you don't understand why the military is the way it is, but until you've been part of it or dealt closely with it, you have no room to speak ill words of our armed forces. Things are done the way they are for a reason and it's because of that system that this country remains the strongest force in the world. I am so grateful for the Marine Corps and what it does for not only our country, but for our allies and for those countries and provinces that struggle for freedom and human rights. It's truly an amazing organization (if you can call it that) and deserves the utmost respect, even if you aren't a member or don't particularly care for the military.
I am absolutely honored to be on the path to becoming a Marine Corps officer. The enlisted Marines deserve even more respect because they're the ones who truly run the Corps. "Semper Fi" means so much more to me than ever because I will always be faithful to the Corps and to my country. Faith in yourself, faith in God, and faith in your fellow Marines can carry you through anything, so Semper Fi, y'all. Have faith in all that you do and know that somewhere, somehow, there's a Marines who's got your back.
I'll share OCS stories with y'all as they come to me but for now, we'll just leave it at that.
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