You Don't Have to "TRY" So Hard - Make a Positive Difference Each Day

This blogging thing hasn't been very easy for me.  I am not really good at putting myself out there.  I can post the surface things, happy things about my kids, but it is really hard to let people into who I really am and the things I truly feel.

As I have been blogging I have felt that I should share a little more about me.  If I was a betting woman I would place a lot of money that my friends and those that I serve with in different capacities would say they perceive me as a very confident person.  In fact, I have had many ask me how I have it all together.  I am known to smile a lot and strive to be positive and happy.

I am happy and enjoy what I do, but I am definitely not confident.  I have to push through my fears daily to get out and be among people.  

There are several reasons for this, but today as I was listening to the radio and the Colbie Caillet song "TRY" came on the radio.  I couldn't help but feel emotional.  This song gets me every time. 

My kids can attest to this, but I don't leave my bedroom without showering and being ready for the day.  I feel very self conscious about having my make up and hair done for anyone or anything.  This habit started about 30 years ago.    

Back when I was around 12 years old there was a neighbor boy that hung out around my family a lot.  We all hung out together.  My brother brought home a note one day from him that let me know that I was ugly, that I stunk and that I shouldn't leave my room until I had my makeup on and hair done.  That was really hard for me to take.  Those words have stuck with me.  

When I was 12 I started doing this because of the note and I wanted to be accepted, but now it is just a habit.  My habit doesn't have to do with not feeling loved or that I have to do this, but it is something that helps me feel more confident each day.

I can guarantee that this neighbor boy doesn't remember writing this note.  He probably wrote it as a joke or something really quick with no thought, but it has stuck with me.  In fact, I still occasionally see this neighbor boy who is now a dad and has children of his own.  We are friends and I have no problems with him at all.  I don't hold it against him.

I share this because whether we are adults raising a family, hit the empty nester years, teenagers or children we need to always think about how we treat people.  We don't know what others are going through and how something that seems so small to us could be so big to them.  We have the opportunity to make a positive difference in everyone's life that we come in contact with.  Not only should we not say something negative, we should take the opportunity to give a compliment, let people know we love and appreciate them or give them words of encouragement.  

We all have faults and weaknesses and we all have strengths and talents.  Take the opportunity to help others build on those strengths and talents.  It will make a difference in our lives and theirs.  It's much better to have positive words have a lasting impact than negative.    

LOVE this video.  Probably one of my favorites, as it has had a great impact on my life.

            

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