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
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