Embracing Imperfection

So here's the thing.

I'm a technophobe. It's been more than two years since I last wrote anything here because I locked myself out of my own blog.

After a friend rescued me with her magical powers and somehow got me back in, it still took forever before I was ready (and able) to revisit it.

The whole point of starting this blog? To keep in touch with my soul sisters, women I will love with all my heart until my dying day, through cross-country moves, job transfers, babies and life.

That was almost five years ago, and many of us have lost touch. As if the Universe is trying to tell us something, we've all been finding our way back to each other, discovering that, though we haven't talked in a while, we've experienced similar challenges along our different paths.

Oh, how we could have been there for each other. As Meesh would say, we could have laughed each other through it. And the funny thing? Even though it had been forever since we last talked, it was as if nothing had changed...we picked right up where we left off. Those kinds of friends are more valuable than all the money in the world, yo.

So here's to setting new goals...and keeping them this time. I'm back in, girls, because I need your sisterhood, and I've got more love to give, if even from a distance. I suppose I also thought that, since I'm a writer by profession, every single entry had to be perfect before I should click "publish." And I thought I should only write about my big life lessons, the wisdom I'm gathering as the years pass by. But I know I'd so much rather read about the little stuff that's going on in friends' lives -- the real stuff, than wait for the yearly Christmas card, where everyone's dressed up and smiling for the camera and reciting all of the fancy accomplishments from the past year.

Here's to quick check-in calls during our lunch breaks. To Facebook status updates announcing a new-found snake in the car, with pictures to prove it. IM's announcing what song you're listening to RIGHT NOW. And to making a quick flight to hold a new baby. I wanna stop waiting til things are perfect before checking in. I wanna embrace the imperfections and celebrate the little things.

Tumbleweed

Growing up, I attended a different school every year, sometimes moving two or three times in the same grade, sometimes within the same town but more often in a different city or state. Answering that ice-breaker question, "where are you from?" proves to be a little difficult. I guess I'm a bit of a tumbleweed. And it’s had a lasting impact on how I connect with others, both in life and in writing.

Here’s what it’s taught me:

1.      Be kind. To everyone. Not because they may be able to help you out some day through LinkedIn or Facebook, but because you never know what challenges people are battling or what lessons they will teach you. And everyone has something to teach.

2.      Don’t assume anything. I detest good ol’ boys networks, cliques and clichés…because they’re based on assumptions that are most often completely wrong. Besides, everyone knows what happens to our hind sides when one assumes.

3.      Everything is relative. “Cool” all depends on your vantage point. Prom queens and straight-A students and band geeks and football players don’t have a corner on anything. They’ll always be a winner to some people and a loser to others. It’s best just to follow your natural path and your passion. Not what’s popular. Because that’s relative, too.

4.      Simplicity is good. Curiosity is delightful. Chocolate is delicious.

5.      Don’t get intimidated. Everyone is stupid about some things and smart about other things.  Don’t let that prevent you from asking questions, making observations and looking stupid.

6.      Things don’t always start at the beginning. Sometimes there’s no end. Life is about starting, transitioning, struggling, triumphing, belly laughing.

7.      Some people are gifted. Most aren’t. But we’re all trying.

8.      Belly laughs bring out the best in everyone.  Try to be the person who brings out the best in everyone.

This day could not have been more beautifully simple. I find myself getting so attached to the simplicities: picking up kids from school, deciding what to have for dinner, a quick call with an old and dear friend, having the hubby home. Ten years ago I never thought this is what I would crave. But I am blissfully, simply happy.