Sometimes, some words have a way of encapsulating the theme of a certain day, or a certain string of days, and even certain strings of weeks, or months.
Sure, I'll go.
Michy
A Moveable Feast |
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"Certo io vado."
Sometimes, some words have a way of encapsulating the theme of a certain day, or a certain string of days, and even certain strings of weeks, or months. Sure, I'll go. Michy
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These words: “Life is too short not to have the underwear, the coffee, and the haircut you want.” "Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." - Mother Teresa When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him. When a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less. A moderately bad man knows he is not very good: a thoroughly bad man thinks he is all right. This is common sense, really. You understand sleep when you are awake, not while you are sleeping. You can see mistakes in arithmetic when your mind is working properly: while you are making them you cannot see them. You can understand the nature of drunkenness when you are sober, not when you are drunk. Good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know about either. -C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Doing: Weeding invasive plants Learning Spanish Petting sweet pups Eating chocolate Contra This song: What are you loving right now?
<3, Michy This week I learned the difference between a 2-cycle and 4-cycle engine, how to start, clean and fuel a weedwacker, and how to drive a zero-turn mower. I was also taught that good work leaves you covered in dirt, and reminded that water breaks are essential.
I can know say hello, how are you, where are you from, and where do you live in Spanish. Being reminded of my limitations in language is humbling. I have been reminded that communication is key and that, at times, conflict is crucial to community building. This week has been good. I hope your week has treated you well and that this weekend brings you rest and laughter! Much love and bermuda grass, Michy Never having to apologize for broken hearts or boos boos. All the band-aids and tea you could ask for (without having to ask). Free salves from the Herb Crew. Friendship is good.
xoxox, Michelle Don't do your laundry on a Sunday. Ever. It would be more energy efficient to just go out and purchase a whole new wardrobe. Trust me. We're in day two of five; my weapons of choice to survive the week include more coffee and pizza flavored gold fish...or maybe just pizza.
xoxoxx Michy Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you’re 65, or 75, and you never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn’t go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid? It’s going to break your heart. Don’t let this happen. Here's to a great year that takes us all higher than the glass ceiling.
Michelle xoxoxx Cara la mia mamma, I love you. With you I can indulge in local delicacies like Rita's gelati and Philly pretzels. You always support my wild spirit and know how to graciously let me fly away when I need to. This summer thank you for letting me nest at home, and loving me even at my worst southern accent.
Dear Twinner, this summer I have watched you transform into a truly incredible young man. Thanks for making time to hang out with me this summer. Our conversations and jam seshs always leave me feeling loved and known. Dear Aunt Patti, I have not shared more hummus platters with any other human on earth but you. Thank you for all of the great conversations we have shared over equally as great food. Dear Rob, over the years you've gone by many nicknames: oncle-papa, zio, and faux father. Regardless of your status in my life I am grateful you're in it and for all the movies, rants over electronics, and motorcycle rides that we have shared together. Dear Matthew, I haven't spent much time with you this summer, but in one week you will be back home again after six years of service in the Navy! I am so proud of everything you've accomplished and the exciting adventures you have lined up in the coming months. Dear Elkton, over the years I have failed to garner any level of affection for you, but over time I have come to understand that affection and appreciation do not always have to coexist. Thank you for consistently being a reminder to always work to triumph over my former self. Dear Summer 2014, you have not been many things I had hoped you would, but you have provided me many opportunities to rest and recharge before entering into another big semester. Thank you for reminding that I am on the right path, even while helping me realize that I still have a long way to go. Dear Fall Semester 2014, stay where you are and let me approach with caution. Even though you are still a few weeks away you have already called me into many areas of expanded responsibility and leadership. I hope I don't let you down. I leave home to go back to the valley tomorrow and I am STOKED! Much love, Michy As I prepare to leave home I am reminded of the things I will miss: The leaves changing colors at Fair Hill
My mom Driving around with the Twinner S'mores indoors Dinners with Aunt Patti and Rob and 2-ply toilet paper What do you miss when you leave home? Michelle Good morning, y'all! This morning I woke up with one goal in mind: friggin' pack. But, then I found this article: Being Special Isn't So Special and I want to talk about it with you.
The article covers, mainly, why we as individuals aren't always as special as we think we are. When I first started reading the article I was like "No, I am special. I swear. My mom says so!!" but I kept reading and started to agree with him. He bases his assertion on the observation that in a world of a million blogs, worldwide Facebook users, and the opportunity at any moment to compare our lives to that of others leaves us feeling devalued and failures at not being able to achieve the life we want--or at least the life we are consistently told we should strive for. He argues that as a society we strive for earning more and more and more (the next Iphone, job promotion, or next opportunity to network), but we continue to feel like we are less and less and less valuable. And then I was like YES. His argument resonated with me for a few reasons: 1. I am growing up in a world of Facebook, Twitter, and blogging. My life is online in almost every way possible and that leads to constant comparison. 2. I'm a twin. This may seem like an odd reason, but even before I joined the world of social media my experiences, development, successes, and failures were cast against that of my brother. I became used to hearing from teachers, coaches, and friends "Wow you're nothing like your brother!" or "If he can do it why can't you?" 3. I often feel confused about how to obtain value in a world that demands value is achieved through appearance, money, and material substance. If you've ever met me I probably didn't have make-up on and you might have questioned if I even brushed my hair that morning, and for transparency's sake money is rarely a tool I can wield for gain in my day to day life. So I have to work on feeling valuable in my way, and by own standards. 3b. Let me cast a comparison against by family and high school friends (but certainly not everyone): I have carved out my own path towards higher education, and generally, in my own life. I was afforded the opportunity to travel and work for a year before going to a college that many do not even consider to be a real college. For the sake of this argument, in many ways I am not on the standard track for "success", and I try to not care what others think of the choices I've made to create my own happiness. I have to believe that I will be happy in the end—even during the times I’m told that I’ve already failed. My appreciation for this article stems from Manson's assertion that we all don't have to be CEOs, or world famous at anything, but we can all be important to our communities and valuable in smaller contexts—the contexts that matter. He recognizes that there is an innate human need to be seen and known and appreciated, but overtime we've misconstrued being known with how many "likes" we get on Facebook, and being seen if someone comments on our outfit, and being appreciated with how many universities offer us enrollment because obviously what we can offer an institution who doesn’t even know our name means we have value. Of course, I’m caught up in these modern trappings myself. I pay attention to how many hits this little blog gets, and get really self-conscious when my crooked teeth make it onto Facebook. And I’m definitely not happy with all of my experiences all of the time. When my friends who go to larger universities tell me of their larger experiences I get jealous. I wonder if I’m defective because I don’t want the latest Free People clothes or even care what brand my clothes are. Truthfully, a lot of my decisions can be traced back to the anxiousness of comparison and expectation that Manson talks about. I wish I knew a solution to breaking down a whole society worth of disillusioned success, but I don’t, and I’m hesitant to hastily subscribe to the solution Manson offers: not worrying about what others think, and embracing the simplicity of a mundane life. I think his resolution is flawed. Accountability within a community is so important. When I don’t have people in my life to remind me and nudge me in the right direction (even if that direction is just staying true to myself) I fall hard. And if a simple life was so satisfying why do droves of people literally hunger for more (Hello there, two trips to Italy). His resolutions provide options, but I refuse to accept that’s all there is. Value, I feel, is found when recognized. A warm hug from a close friend, or a silly award with your name on it—through those actions that recognize us we are told, and feel, that we are known by others and not just anyone, but by those who matter to us to. Also, know that you are great in your own right. I know that there are many times in life that we aren’t told and never hear we are valuable when we so desperately want to hear a simple “Thank you!” or “Wow what a great job!” or “I love you”. My opinions are but one of billions, but I am firm believer that you and I matter because we exist. We make a splash in this world simply by breathing. Whether you chose to agree with me or not is up to you, but I believe you were born with skills, talents, and a myriad of ways to contribute to the world around you even if that world is only ever your hometown or backyard. You are here and valuable. Do not ever forget that you matter and keep your chin up! Now, I really have to go pack. Happy Friday! Michelle xoxoxx |
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