Tag: life

You’re Not Wrong

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If you ask a math teacher, they will most assuredly tell you that there is more than way to go about doing something. Sure, it may not be the easiest or the best way to do something, but if you get there in the end, then you should be okay. (At least, this is what I️ hoped my math teacher would say to me.)

So in that vein, stop comparing yourself to everyone around you.

Sure, another person’s way may look better or get quicker results, but at the end of the day, if you got the job done, then you’re not wrong. There’s no being wrong in life – only in math. There’s a million ways to go about doing something, and the way you see the world is unique to you.

So you’re not wrong. You may be on the wrong path or walking in the wrong direction for awhile, but what you do can’t be wrong when it comes to living your life. Mistakes can only lead you to a better place and time, even if it takes awhile to get there. But you have to let yourself be human and be able to make mistakes before you can live unwrongly.

The Gift of Gab

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

They say that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you get the gift of gab – you can talk to anyone about anything.

But what no one tells you about the Blarney Stone is that it is on a ledge on the outside of a castle wall. So if you want to smooch it, you need to have the gift of courage too.

Why? Because in order to kiss it, you have to lay down and thrust yourself out into the open air. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll get so much momentum from the slick conditions that you’ll smash your lips and almost knock out your teeth – which has the added irony that you won’t be able to speak and have the gift of gab if you lose all your teeth.

But in the end, I️ didn’t have to worry. Because I️ never got the gift of gab. I️ have a terrible time taking to people. It takes everything in me to marshal my thoughts and to get out the word, “hi.” But other people don’t have this problem! They talk about anything they feel like. They talk to fill the silence. They talk whether you’re listening or not.

And maybe that’s why the world always has two people – talkers and listeners. But I️ can’t stop feeling like I️ got a raw deal. I️ still wish that I️ could have received the gift of gab that day – instead of a sore lip. But no one tells you that getting the gift of gab is about as hard as using it.

The Futility of Trees

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

In case you haven’t been near a Starbucks, I’d like to officially announce:

It’s fall.

Leaves are tumbling, being raked into piles and trees are generally shedding their weight for winter.

But you know what gets me about trees?

They spend their whole life growing. And then they deposit their seeds, their acorns, their tiny helicopter pods. Not knowing where they’re going. Not knowing if they’ll grow up to be trees too. Not knowing even if they’ll land on the ground instead of in some squirrel’s stomach.

But they do it anyway. They drop their seeds anyway. With only hope keeping them alight.

It’s hard to live with hope only. But I️ promise, that if you put some faith into your hope, you will grow no matter where you’re planted.

So drop your seeds where they may fall and reach for the sky.

Be the Moon

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I get it.

Not every day is going to be a rainbow wrapped butterfly with a cherry on top confection. I know that, and so do you.

But my motto is: if you can’t be the sun, be the moon.

That is, if you can’t radiate goodness and happiness like the sun, then the least you can do is reflect it. Be the moon, reflecting the light from the sun’s rays. Be the moon, and reflect what little good there is in the world.

So if someone is nice to you on a day where you don’t feel like the sun is shining very brightly, then pass it on. Reflect that goodness. And shine a little brighter for it. Even if that’s all you can do — hang in the sky and reflect. Even if all you can do is be the moon.

TP Kids

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My message is very short tonight.

Live life like you’re a kid on mischief night.

When I was driving home, it was dark out. Not many cars on the road. But I drove past a group of kids walking, and lo and behold, each of them was carrying a roll of toilet paper. And I was so happy to see that this little town tradition was still holding up that I laughed out loud. For tonight is mischief night. When kids of all ages get up to no good. Throwing eggs or toilet papering trees.

And I realized that even though most Halloween traditions have their place – some can keep us connected to other generations. Because I remember laughing out loud when I woke up and saw that all the trees had been covered in tp on my street as a kid.

So live your life however you want. But remember that some traditions are just too meaningful not to repeat. Have some fun (and some mischief) out there.

Permitted

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Let me take you back in time to when you first got your learners permit to drive. Remember? How every trip was an exciting adventure? How you grabbed the keys immediately when anyone needed to run an errand? How you avoided highways and took backroads everywhere?

Sure, you were scared. What if you got in an accident? What if you confused the gas and the brake?!You would grip the steering wheel until your fingers were white.

…and dare I ask about now? You’re probably just shy of driving with your knees, eating yoghurt, and shaving your face. (Hopefully not texting!)

My point is that at one point, driving was terrifying. And now look. You’re fine. You could do it with your eyes closed if that was legal.

So stand up and take notice of all the amazing ways you’ve progressed. There are things you do everyday that once scared you half to death. Make sure you congratulate yourself. Your permitted to feel good about your accomplishments no matter how small.

Passing Through

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It’s gonna pass like a kidney stone or a rainstorm but it’ll pass!

Because all time passes. The time spent waiting in line, the time spent at work, the time you spend relaxing, the time you spend in pain. It all passes at the same rate.

Sure, time flies when you’re having fun. And it seems you have to kill time at other times. But it all passes whether you’re watching the clock or not.

And I think that bears a friendly reminder. Even if you want time to pass, it’s going to take its good old…well, time. So, why not treasure the moment instead of dread it? Why not smile in this minute instead of waiting for it to pass? Why must we always be focused on moving time forward or remembering

back when or slowing down for a feeling?

If you’re focused on your goals and passions, time will take care of itself. Because time isn’t the one moving — You’re just passing right on through.

Escape Artist

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That’s right. I’m an escape artist. A regular Houdini.

And what do I escape from? Chains? Boxes? Tanks full of sharks?

Nope. Reality. In any way possible.

I read books or watch tv that takes me out of my reality. I read fantasy because it’s so different from my own life. I even watch cooking shows to live a day in the life of a great cook (which is definitely far from my reality).

But the problem is that you have to return to reality at some time. And it can be really jarring the farther you spin out.

So daydream responsibly. Be careful of how you try to escape from reality. Because how you escape matters. It needs to be a healthy release.

Take it from an expert—you don’t want your escape to become your permanent reality. And you don’t want your reality to just be an escape route.

When Do I Give Up?

Bailey Gunn1 Comment

As some of you may know, I didn’t post last week.

I didn’t feel like it, to be honest. And even now, I’m wondering why I try. It’s so much easier not to.

But I also think about all the wonderful people who read my blog and who comment on it.

And if there’s one person out there that wants to read my blog, then I’ll write it. (Even though it’s my mom.)

So friendly reminder: it can be hard sometimes. You’re tired. You’re sad. You’re ready for something new.

You ask: when do I give up on this? When do I stop trying? When can I be done?

And I will say: tomorrow. When you’re a little less tired and sad. And you finally realize that you don’t want to give up.

And you don’t.

Because it’s easy to give up. Too easy. It’s so much harder to continue to show up day after day. But that’s why it’s worth it, in the end.

It’s like looking at the night sky and seeing constellations instead of individual stars.

Don’t give up just yet.

What My Mama (and sister) Gave Me

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I grew up with two fiercely independent, smart, and kind role models: my mother and my sister. And being the youngest, I was obviously impressionable. So I ate up every word of advice on life that my mother and sister could give. And for you tonight, I’ve collected my favorite memories of each of them. To celebrate just two of the women I hold most dear. (I’m laughing even as I write this.)

Sister, Juliet:

  1. The day we set out to hike and accidentally kept walking for 10 miles.
  2. That time you didn’t know how to open a champagne bottle, so you did the best with what you could.
  3. Every day you drove me to high school and let me listen to your fall out boy cd.
  4. When I kissed you on the head before you went into surgery, and you were thoroughly disgusted.
  5. When you would do my hair and make up before a big school dance but make me sit on the toilet, and you would exasperatingly say, “IM DOING YOUR MASCARA. LOOK UP.”

Mom, Ellen:

  1. When you helped me decide to go to Ireland by talking to me for 45 minutes about the pros and cons.
  2. Every time we go shopping and encourage each other to buy whatever we want.
  3. That time you came into my room with the vacuum cleaner to suck up a particularly nasty spider.
  4. When you tear up because something is so unbelievably happy.
  5. That time you changed your name to “Betty boop” on your phone and then called the pizza place, who then obviously referred to you as Ms. boop.

Thanks, mom and Jul, for being who you both are. And allowing me to be who I am. Love you both.

Sincerely,

Bailey