Go forth and be B.R.A.Z.E.N

Changes are continuously in the air. It’s inevitable (like death and taxes).  I had my share of "inevitable" last year and I’m ready to "get ta steppin".  Thankfully from those inevitable and incredibly painful changes I have gained confidence, felt peace, and found a renewed spirit for living brazenly.  I’m inspired to dream again and set goals towards my desires.  I’m also feeling incredibly grateful.  Isn’t it funny that when you are ready embrace the future, ready to take charge, that “things” start making sense and life finally "happens".  Funny and refreshing!

A current blog I read is Carla Birnberg-Unapologetically me has routinely written about changes and taking charge and living brazenly.  In her most recent post she talks about the definition of B.R.A.Z.E.N. (her new acronym).  If you go here  you can see what BEING Brazen means to Carla (& draw your own conclusion as to what your “living BRAZENly” is).  Her definition is incredible actually.  And since it embodies much of my “life mission” I’m just going to run with it (although I will admit that “flying my freak flag” scares the shit out of me) and use it as my daily reminder.  IMO, Why reinvent the wheel if someone else’s wheel fits (and they don’t mind you borrowing their wheel)?

If I’ve learned NOTHING else from this last year I did learn that I HAVE to put myself first (no one else will) and that I’m not being selfish for doing so. I have needs/desires/dreams too.  Putting myself first doesn't mean that I'm not "going to be there" for my friends/loved ones/community; just means that I will sometimes have to say "no, not this time".

So here is to living life brazenly...

Top 20 things I’ve learned (or that has sunk in) since my last birthday

1)      Life is short AND precious. Make each moment count

2)      You REALLY are the company you keep (thanks dad)

3)      I’m ok not being perfect 

4)      I can only do what I can do (not what someone else can do or has done or wants me to do)

5)      This life really isn’t about me (it’s about what I can do for others to make OUR existance a lil less painful)

6)      I have choices regardless of how much I like or dislike those choices 

7)      That I don’t have to answer a text/email/phone call RIGHT THIS MINUTE

8)      That sometimes “it” just doesn’t matter

9)      That I don’t care that it’s “not your monkey, not your circus” 

10)   That the heart still hurts when someone dies no matter how many loved ones have passed previously or that death is inevitable 

11)   That while I LOVE to make lists, I don’t always like to check things off those lists

12)   That the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” (and it ain’t all bad!)

13)   That sometimes all I got is FAITH and that sometimes I need to have faith for others as well

14)   That prayer really does work (so be careful what you pray for!)

15)   That I’ve forgotten how to dream 

16)   That tomorrow doesn’t have to be scary

17)   That forgiving isn’t always easy but it is necessary (more for you the forgiver than the one you are to forgive)

18)   Just because I’ve “screwed up” previously doesn’t make me a bad or stupid person. Just means I’m human

19)   That when I’m “feeling crazy”…it might NOT be me! Might actually be someone else that’s crazy trying to make me feel crazy

20)   That I’m allowed to have the feelings I have about things (I think it’s called “being an individual”) and I don’t owe anyone an apology because of it