Throughout our lives, we tend to wrestle with different facets and pieces of ourselves. What’s the norm? Is it okay to be this way? Is this acceptable?

Many parts of us we keep and others are work to throw away. What I’ve learned in life is that we can’t throw those parts away that make us uniquely US. We can become caught up in the world of comparison wondering if we’re ever measuring up to our own expectations for life. Ultimately, it’s not about measuring up to anyone else other than who we’ve individually been called to be.

What getting older has taught me

I’ve recently discovered my ability to remain in my lane; I don’t have to conform to social ‘norms’ or be like anyone else. I don’t have to be the mother everyone else expects me to be; I only need to give the life I need to give to my daughter. My marriage doesn’t have to compare to anyone else’s; we have to work at our marriage to continue showing love and respect for each other equally. I don’t have to miss out on exploring the life that’s out there should I feel there’s more left to explore. I don’t have to busy my hands or my mind if I want to sit still and just EXIST.

The same goes for you, friend. You are able to just BE YOU. We should have some level of respect and kindness for fellow humans. However, we don’t have to be like every other human out there.

I like to wander. It feeds my soul.

I’ve been in the universe of social media for over a decade now. Yes, I could be your grandmother. Dude, times have changed so much. Instead of me seeing unique images of individuals living their best life and invigorating me with their stories I see clones. Different pictures but the same locations and same expressions. I see short subtext and no thought put into captions. I don’t gravitate towards that. I dig for authenticity and true inspiration.

Sometimes we go for walks in the “Las Vegas Snow” cuz … it’s snowing in Las Vegas.

You don’t have to wait until you’re well on your way to 40 like me to discover this. I plan to remind my daughter every day how special she is and how it’s okay to be uniquely her. I want her to see all that’s our there to see and use both sides of her brain to expand her potential.

I want to feel free.

Why?

I’ve often wondered why I am the way that I am. I can trace my current life back to my past life. I can totally understand why I don’t want to feel held down or controlled. So, it’s okay to want to be the opposite – with compassion and consideration for the world around me.

Listen.

There’s so much to scroll through. There’s so much to compare ourselves to. For what though? Why should we look out at others in the world and try to be just like them? There’s only one of each of us. Each of us uniquely made to be just who we are. There’s one of that person we’re comparing ourselves with. That’s enough. There doesn’t need to be two … or three … or four.

We’re allowed see something in someone else we admire and search for a similar quality in ourselves. It’s not okay to want to be more like them and less like us.

Everyone is amazing just the way they are. We will continue to grow and change over time. I try to think of changes I make over the years as notches in a belt; they tighten my grasp on who I am as an INDIVIDUAL and I am a-okay with that.

Less looking out. More looking IN.

Be kind. Be considerate. Be positive. Be better. Be braver. Be open. Be REAL. Be YOU.