Day 22 of the Slice of Life challenge.
The truth is...
Sometimes I feel like I could take on the world. I am bursting with ideas and energy and up for any challenge.
And sometimes I want to crawl back under the covers and hide from the world because I just.can't. today. I get up anyhow, but sometimes I'm just doing the best I can to fake it till I make it.
The truth is...
In theory, I want to go and see and experience and live out loud. In reality, I love a cozy existence. I love sleeping in my own bed at night. I love having my favorite kind of coffee in my favorite mug every morning. My life may seem small to others, but it is filled with little moments that mean a lot to me.
The truth is...
No one has a perfect life. The human condition is not designed that way. That person whose life you envy? They carry burdens, too. I tell myself this when I see Eva Mendes or Kate Middleton or anyone dating Lenny Kravitz in glossy magazines. I know it to be the truth--but I need reminding of this. a lot.
The truth is...
I am sometimes difficult. I can be stubborn. I can be loud. I can be bossy. These traits are double-edged swords, of course. I can also be seen as persistent, with a great theatre voice, and a go-getter. ;)
The truth is...
when Khalil Gibran wrote "let there be spaces in your togetherness?" he got it so right. this applies to what I need with everyone I know. I love my family--and there must be spaces in our togetherness--or I might just lose my mind.
The truth is...
I love Emily Dickinson, and Jane Austen and Tennessee Williams and Harper Lee. I also love Real Housewives of New Jersey, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and singing 80's pop tunes at top volume. The truth does not always make us proud, but it is what it is.
The truth is...
If you asked my 7th-grade language arts teacher, my mom, my college roommate and my students from 1995 each to define me you would get a wide variety of answers. My ex-husband would probably have an entirely different take, too. ;) I try to help kids understand this when I teach history. We are remembered differently by different people.
The truth is....
If Stevie Ray Vaughn is on the radio I do not get out of the car until the song is over. Also, if Adele or Sam Smith is on, it is required that I sing along and sing loudly. Notice I didn't say sing "well".
The truth is....
Sweet tea tastes better from a Mason jar. It is even better on a front porch. Coffee is best in a mug that fits my hand. Lemonade is best is a clear glass with loads of crushed ice.
The truth is...
I should probably love kale at least as much as I love Tex-Mex, but I don't and never will. I will smile and be grateful for it, but will never give up my queso & chips altogether. And if I eat those chips, I'm choosing to--I am enjoying it and I refuse to apologize or act like I need to do penance.
The truth is...
I am far from perfect, but now that I'm in my mid-40's I like myself a whole lot better than I did at 20, despite my no-longer-stellar figure and my crow's feet. I have lived a joyful life. I have laughed often and loved much, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
The truth is...
I love Emily Dickinson, and Jane Austen and Tennessee Williams and Harper Lee. I also love Real Housewives of New Jersey, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and singing 80's pop tunes at top volume. The truth does not always make us proud, but it is what it is.
The truth is...
If you asked my 7th-grade language arts teacher, my mom, my college roommate and my students from 1995 each to define me you would get a wide variety of answers. My ex-husband would probably have an entirely different take, too. ;) I try to help kids understand this when I teach history. We are remembered differently by different people.
The truth is....
If Stevie Ray Vaughn is on the radio I do not get out of the car until the song is over. Also, if Adele or Sam Smith is on, it is required that I sing along and sing loudly. Notice I didn't say sing "well".
The truth is....
Sweet tea tastes better from a Mason jar. It is even better on a front porch. Coffee is best in a mug that fits my hand. Lemonade is best is a clear glass with loads of crushed ice.
The truth is...
I should probably love kale at least as much as I love Tex-Mex, but I don't and never will. I will smile and be grateful for it, but will never give up my queso & chips altogether. And if I eat those chips, I'm choosing to--I am enjoying it and I refuse to apologize or act like I need to do penance.
The truth is...
I am far from perfect, but now that I'm in my mid-40's I like myself a whole lot better than I did at 20, despite my no-longer-stellar figure and my crow's feet. I have lived a joyful life. I have laughed often and loved much, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
My favorite line from this post is "We are remembered differently by different people." I have often thought about the fact that my view of someone may be so different from another's view; but I have never stopped to really think about the different ways so many people must view me. Thank you for giving me some important and true things to wrap my mind around today.
ReplyDeleteI love the format of your slice and I am so with you on the sweet tea and coffee. I add that coffee tastes better in a pottery mug with frothy milk on top. I also like that you conclude no one is perfect but you like yourself better every day.
ReplyDeleteI love the format of your slice and I am so with you on the sweet tea and coffee. I add that coffee tastes better in a pottery mug with frothy milk on top. I also like that you conclude no one is perfect but you like yourself better every day.
ReplyDeleteHow very well put! It's nice to be reminded that people don't fit into neat little categories. We are so much deeper than that, so very multifaceted! It even helps to be reminded about that when we look at ourselves, that we don't focus on our 'shortcomings' and define ourselves by them.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost 40 and I find I am so much happier than when I was in my 20s :D
This piece really builds up steam as it goes on. Very moving. If you decide to revise, I'd look at the phrases that are more general and try to make them more specific--or describe them in a more specific way. Oddly, it's the more specific things that connect with me more. I also really liked your insight about history--that it depends on who is doing the remembering. I also liked how you didn't shy away from presenting yourself as imperfect, and that you ended on an upbeat note.
ReplyDeleteBeing honest about yourself and putting it out there takes courage. Thank you for sharing a little about who you are.
ReplyDeleteSo many contrasts here make the complex and complicated human-ness of your confessions all the more powerful: The space in togetherness, the confidence and defeat, the stubborn and persistent. So many more, they make the piece for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat slice!!! You nailed it. I'm glad you know your own truth and glad that you love it!! I may have to copy your format some day. This is such a fantastic post.
ReplyDeleteLoved the structure of your piece. I especially enjoyed the sections of contrast:
ReplyDeletesometimes I feel like could take on the world, but then
I want to live out loud, but in reality.
So many truths here.
Thanks for sharing,
Cathy