Monday, February 8, 2010

Just Thinking Out Loud Here...

What does every CEO, President, Olympian, Oscar winner, Doctor, or any other 'successful' position have in common? An utter LACK of cynicism. "Real success cannot be achieved in the presence of cynicism... A cynic will always put their finger on the disease before they put it on health. It's the easy way to go."


I got this quote from my brother, Scott--who heard it from a friend.
It was so impacting
I had to post it here
Would love to leave it up for a month
So completely and utterly
TRUE

Really
So, so true

Now, here is what I think:
Cynicism is crippling.
It can halt you in your tracks
and can keep you from
reaching out to accomplish,
pursuing a dream,
believing in love,
going for that promotion,
putting yourself on the line,
taking a risk,
having faith to believe,
taking the plunge,
making a commitment,
letting down your guard,
opening up,
living life fully,
doing the right thing,
pushing for change,
standing up for justice,
seeing the possibilities,
and just about
anything
else!

OK
and here is more of what I think...
The only real cure for cynicism
is forgiveness.

Forgiveness.

The only way to cure cynicism
is to forgive
whoever caused
the hurt,
the broken-ness
the disappointment
the betrayal
the let-down...

Whoever, or even whatever
broke your heart
smashed your hopes
crushed your dreams
hurt you
snubbed you
embarrassed you
neglected you
damaged you
gave you up
gave you away
gave up on you
let you go
didn't stop you
didn't want you
didn't believe in you
didn't trust you
didn't notice you
didn't help you
didn't return the favor
didn't follow through
didn't return your love
didn't answer your questions
didn't give you a chance
judged you
left you
left you out
singled you out
sold-you-out
broke their promise
broke your trust
failed you
turned on you
over-looked you
stood in your way
kept you in the dark
took you for granted
took advantage of you
took your place
stole from you
tricked you
avoided you
mocked you
made fun of you
meddled in your life
turned others against you
blamed you
lied about you
cheated on you
or did
something
else.

The only way out
(if you want out)
is to
forgive them.
him.
her.
yourself.

And then,
I guess
after the forgiveness part,
the only other thing left to do,
is let go of the fear
that it's all going to happen
again.
And again.

But,
here's the thing,
if it does,
you can always forgive again.

And
I'm sure
I make it all sound too simplistic.
I'm so naive.
I'm far too optimistic
about all of this.

(especially, if you're cynical)


Friday, February 5, 2010

Doppel What?

So, the trend on Facebook (lately), is to post a picture of THE celebrity to whom you are most often compared.
REALLY?
Are there many of us who are actually compared to celebrities, on a consistent basis?
I could take this exercise in MANY directions...
There are a couple I've been compared to over the years.
A few, I WISH someone would tell me I resemble.

But, even when I put a dozen pictures into one of those computer-generated-read-your-face websites, the images of look-alikes they spit out, leave me baffled:
Portia De Rossi
AND
Katherine Heigl?
Really?
Seriously?
I am tempted to put a picture of Raquel Welch, Lynda Carter or Catherine Zeta-Jones into the same computer program,
to see THEIR look alikes.
Wish they'd spit out a picture of ME as their results.
Wonder how that would make them FEEL?

I'm not about to get hung up on this.
This isn't an essay about being happy with who you are,
looking in the mirror and liking yourself more,
or any of that crap we're trying to infuse our daughters with,
in an attempt to create self-esteem and positive body images.

Frankly, I don't even know what this is about.
I think it's about the fact that
(gasp)
I'm beginning to consider having some "work" done.
(And I'm not talking about the long-overdue tummy tuck I dream about at night)

I NEED to get some work done.
And I should just get on with it.

I need Michelle Obama's arms.
I need to develop those biceps.
Summer is approaching, as is swim suit season.

I need Lynda Carter's teeth.
Those white, white teeth.
Only a package of Crest Strips away.

I need better eyebrows.
Maybe Salma Hayek's.
A magnifying mirror, tweezers and a steady hand...are all it would take.

I need Mother Teresa's selflessness
and
Angelina Jolie's always-room-for-one-more, open hands
and
Madonna's dedication to re-inventing herself every five years
and
Maya Angelou's way with words
and
Audrey Hepburn's elegance
and
Mary J Blige's swagger
(as well as the name of her tattoo artist)

and

my mother's
devotion
grace
wisdom
smile
and

scent.

Yes.
I need to have some "work" done.
And you know what?
Every bit of it,
is possible.

I CAN:
do
have
or become
any or all
of these things.

Because honestly, there is nothing...
Nothing...
NOTHING
(except
ME
and my tendencies to
procrastinate,
ponder and
justify,
when I should get up and do something
or change something),
preventing
Any
or
All
of those things, traits, characteristics or strengths
from becoming part of the woman I am.

I am
after all,
a woman.

And I love being a woman.

Well,
other than my mother's smile
and scent.

Those will never be duplicated,

and will be missed...

always.