Be Okay

Earlier this year, I wrote about the people in my life whom I admire. Those who have qualities that I look up to and hold in high esteem.

I still stick with what I said – I deeply love and respect these people and continue to meet others who inspire and challenge me to be better.

But last week as I stood knee-deep in a pile of my clothes on my bedroom floor, I started to beat myself up for not being more organized.  Then suddenly I remembered what I said earlier this year. (Is it narcissistic to be inspired by something you yourself said? Woops.)

“…there are some imperfections I’m okay with. There are some flaws of mine that are simply a part of my story.”

And while I don’t consider my tendency to turn my week’s worth of outfits into a small mountain on the floor of my bedroom an admirable quality or one that is a ‘part of my story,’ I came up with some that are. And I thought it might be worth noting a few of them here.

Mostly for me, but also for you. In hopes that you too can take a look at certain aspects of your personality and realize that while we should always be willing to take a long, hard look at ourselves and see areas that need improvement (or, in my case, a total re-haul), we should also force ourselves to embrace parts of who we are that we can be okay with.

So here we go.

-I am not a morning person. In fact, I’m a downright beast. But I am much better than I once was.  (I may or may not have made my mom cry in high school.)

-I like to tidy up, but I do not love to clean. (There is a huge difference between the two. Trust me.)

-I wear too much bronzer. I think this need to look ‘glowing’ dates back to 1998 when I discovered tanning beds. (Worry not, I have not touched a tanning bed in years.)

-I love Diet Coke. Yes, my mom sends me articles every month detailing the hazardous effects of aspartame. But if I’m going to have a vice, I think this is a pretty tame one.

-I still use my high school nickname as my email address and Twitter name. It is the least professional thing anyone can do.

-I wear too much grey. I do not know why, I just do.

-I don’t wash my hair every day. And I doubt I ever will.

-I am five minutes late everywhere I go. I try, I really do, but – darn it – it’s almost like clockwork (so, technically, isn’t that almost as reliable as being on time?).

-I don’t hate Nicholas Sparks novels.

-I watch Jersey Shore.

-I screen calls. And almost always choose texting over calling.

-I like to be the center of attention. But only on my terms. I rarely perform on command.

-When I get nervous or meet new people, I talk too much. Way too much.

-I hide behind my jokes.

As Ingrid Michaelson so beautifully sings, “I just want to know today, know that maybe I will be okay.”

And despite all of the above, I think I will.