A Life Less Ordinary
So I went to see the movie Milk tonight. It is nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Kudos to the Academy for that... because the movie was AMAZING.
I see films like this and they inspire me. Sometimes random people that I meet inspire me.
I've been inspired a lot lately. I met some people in New Orleans this past weekend that inspired me. Some who just encouraged my writing, having never even read it (which is brave, cause sometimes its BAD) some who have lived out exceptional adventures and make me want to have more of my own, and some people who flat out have just about nothing going for them but the fact that they have both legs and walk upright.
I have repeated this so many times that it must sound hackneyed by now- I WANT TO BE EXCEPTIONAL.
I don't want to be famous- but I want to live the kind of life that makes people wish they'd known me. I want to change something for someone, maybe everyone. I want to be able to look at the mark I left on the people or the world around me and be able to feel proud.
I've always been a girl with a cause. The environment. Civil Rights. Sub-standard housing. Clean drinking water for all people. End poverty. End hunger. Help children. Save New Orleans!
You name it, I will jump in and take up the cross, because I care.
But I've noticed... I've always kind of kept my caring at arm's length. My heart's true passion- while watching footage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina- was to DROP EVERYTHING and rush in to help. I was ready to leave that minute. I waited- because of work, ostensibly, but looking back I know- that's a job I could've taken time off from so easily. What would it have mattered if I was fired from that job?! That job was NOTHING in the scheme of my life.
I waited 2 years before I finally reached the area that reached out and grabbed my heart from so many miles away. But I went- and was forever changed by the city of New Orleans, by the residents of Plaquemine's Parish, by the undying spirit and charm and everything that could've been so easily swept away in the winds and waters.
I went this weekend- and joy surged into my heart as I met people from all over the country- the world even, mingling there in the Crescent City... there to party, to work, to run, to have a good time and do it in style in the Big Easy. Where your cares melt away and you are left with what really matters in life- love, friendships and moments that simply cause you to stand back and be grateful for everything you have.
I stood back- and realized that my life is, and has always been- mired in the details. I've always been a detail oriented person- and normally I'd say that's a good thing... but when the details cloud the bigger picture- it's time to step back. I am always constantly amazed by people that do big things with their lives... especially people who do big things at a young age. I always wonder what separates me from those people. I'm nearly 30 years old, and I don't really see much worthy of being called exceptional in the life I've lived already. Some may argue, and that's not what I'm looking for so much as making a call to action for myself...
So as I wondered what separates me from those who have gone out and had life's great adventures, those who have accomplished many things before they've accrued many years, the people who dream big and do bigger... I realized- the dividing line is something so obvious... something so little yet so big that it cripples most of us where we stand. It's FEAR.
I refuse to let my life be guided by fear. I have hereby declared 2009 the year of "Why Not?"
It's time to stand up and be exceptional. Why not?
I see films like this and they inspire me. Sometimes random people that I meet inspire me.
I've been inspired a lot lately. I met some people in New Orleans this past weekend that inspired me. Some who just encouraged my writing, having never even read it (which is brave, cause sometimes its BAD) some who have lived out exceptional adventures and make me want to have more of my own, and some people who flat out have just about nothing going for them but the fact that they have both legs and walk upright.
I have repeated this so many times that it must sound hackneyed by now- I WANT TO BE EXCEPTIONAL.
I don't want to be famous- but I want to live the kind of life that makes people wish they'd known me. I want to change something for someone, maybe everyone. I want to be able to look at the mark I left on the people or the world around me and be able to feel proud.
I've always been a girl with a cause. The environment. Civil Rights. Sub-standard housing. Clean drinking water for all people. End poverty. End hunger. Help children. Save New Orleans!
You name it, I will jump in and take up the cross, because I care.
But I've noticed... I've always kind of kept my caring at arm's length. My heart's true passion- while watching footage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina- was to DROP EVERYTHING and rush in to help. I was ready to leave that minute. I waited- because of work, ostensibly, but looking back I know- that's a job I could've taken time off from so easily. What would it have mattered if I was fired from that job?! That job was NOTHING in the scheme of my life.
I waited 2 years before I finally reached the area that reached out and grabbed my heart from so many miles away. But I went- and was forever changed by the city of New Orleans, by the residents of Plaquemine's Parish, by the undying spirit and charm and everything that could've been so easily swept away in the winds and waters.
I went this weekend- and joy surged into my heart as I met people from all over the country- the world even, mingling there in the Crescent City... there to party, to work, to run, to have a good time and do it in style in the Big Easy. Where your cares melt away and you are left with what really matters in life- love, friendships and moments that simply cause you to stand back and be grateful for everything you have.
I stood back- and realized that my life is, and has always been- mired in the details. I've always been a detail oriented person- and normally I'd say that's a good thing... but when the details cloud the bigger picture- it's time to step back. I am always constantly amazed by people that do big things with their lives... especially people who do big things at a young age. I always wonder what separates me from those people. I'm nearly 30 years old, and I don't really see much worthy of being called exceptional in the life I've lived already. Some may argue, and that's not what I'm looking for so much as making a call to action for myself...
So as I wondered what separates me from those who have gone out and had life's great adventures, those who have accomplished many things before they've accrued many years, the people who dream big and do bigger... I realized- the dividing line is something so obvious... something so little yet so big that it cripples most of us where we stand. It's FEAR.
I refuse to let my life be guided by fear. I have hereby declared 2009 the year of "Why Not?"
It's time to stand up and be exceptional. Why not?