Month: January 2019

Who am I?

/ Micki / 4 Comments

andre-mouton-744482-unsplash

Can you answer the question, “who am I?”  It is so important to know who you are and who you want to be.  If you do not know the answer, a life setback can leave you reeling.  I know this because it just happened to me.  And it happened to me before, and again before that.  Knowing “who you are” is a precious pearl.  When you drop this pearl and it rolls behind the dresser, look for it immediately, and then hold onto it tightly!

Recently, I decided to end my job as a financial advisor with a company I really liked.  Not for lack of trying, I was just not growing fast enough under tough circumstances.  Yikes!  This stings!  Someone will be sure to tell me that failure is OK.  Sorry, but that is just doo-doo!  Failure totally sucks.  It hurts.  Most of all, failure makes me question the question. Who am I?

Here is another one.  One day I had three babies.  I am tending to their needs.  I am feeding them, driving them, and helping them look presentable.  But most importantly, I am guiding them, encouraging them, teaching them limits, moderation, delayed gratification and so on.  I am really important to them and they need me.  Then, in a blink of an eye, they grew up.  My friends and family tell me that they still need me.  Well, that is doo-doo, too!  An empty house sucks.  It hurts.  This life event also makes me question the question. Who am I?

There are many more examples.  People will test your boundaries and morals.  People will reject your friendship.  Relationships may end.  You may have to fight a health battle.  You will lose a loved one.  All of these will suck.  You will hurt and the platitudes people tell you will sound like doo-doo.  And you will question the question over and over.  Who am I?

I am a strong, kind, smart, funny, generous, spiritual woman.  I am a great mom, a good wife, a hard worker, a good listener, and a positive spirit.  I would even say that I am fierce and fabulous!  I am not writing this to get your affirmation.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  Only I need to know who I am.  I am the person who is presenting myself to the world.  If I do not believe it, how will you?  One thing I know for sure – I am not a failure.  Because I know who I am, I know failure is not on the list!  This job crisis is only a small setback that my strong and smart self will pull me through.

Knowing the answer to “Who am I?” will keep you on course when life events rock your world.  A strong sense of who you are will lead you to life’s next opportunity.  It will help you overcome obstacles and help you make good choices.  It will get you through tough times and times of illness.  It will help you stand up for yourself when your boundaries are tested.  And when tempted, it is also good to know “that is NOT me!”

Spend time to have a clear answer to “Who am I?”  It is a most precious pearl.

 

Photo by Andre Mouton on Unsplash

Washcloth!

/ Micki / 1 Comment

sandy-millar-750469-unsplash

I cannot believe I even have to say this!  A washcloth is a pearl!

When I got married, long ago, I found out my husband does not use a washcloth in the shower.  What the hell!  He told me that men use only a bar a soap and their hands.  Yuck!  Why would anyone not want a barrier between their hands and their grime!  But, what do I know about men and their shower habits?

When my boys got older and started showering by themselves, I insisted on a loofah.  It was a compromise between their hands and a washcloth.  A loofah.  What a weird name for a weird product.  To me, a loofah looks like something useful to scrub the sink and the tub.  Plastic on your privates?  Did someone really make millions inventing the stupid loofah?

Last semester my son came home from college with a fungus on his back.  It was from wrestling on his fraternity’s family room carpet.  Gross!  When I  found out, I was yelling around the house, “Washcloth! This would not have happened if you used a washcloth!”  Washcloth!  Washcloth!  With my strong Chicago accent, I sounded like the AFLAC duck!  I must admit, I did have them thinking.

Then, last week, I was watching an episode of “The Neighbors.”  It is a TV comedy about a white couple who moved into a black neighborhood.  The black neighbor lady offered the white neighbor lady a washcloth to use in her shower.  The white neighbor lady said that white women do not use washcloths!  The black lady was appalled!  I was stunned, confused.  My world was rocked.

I clearly do not understand the history of the washcloth.  I have no idea who uses them or how they came to be.  But there is one thing I know for sure.  Whether you are a man or a woman, a boy or a girl, black or white, rich or poor, hairy or bald – a washcloth is good idea.  The friction of the terry cloth helps remove the coodies on your body.  A hand is inadequate.  Your belly-button, behind your ears, and butt crack will thank you!

Common sense and a pearl!