Jack of No Trades, Master of None

Ever read a article, post, book or watch a movie and think to yourself... I'm going to do that.

Yes, next week I'm going to join a gym. 
I'm going to start eating healthy. In fact, I'm going to empty my pantry of all processed foods and start over.    
I'm going to go back to school and rediscover my passion for (fill in the blank).

And then the next day comes... You stayed up late watching a movie because you had to wait until Monkeys went to bed. Waking up early to pick up a heavy bar above your head doesn't sound so great now. 
You're hungry. Where are those chips??  Oh, right... 
It's going to cost how much money to finish my degree?!?!

Then you know what happens...nothing. I have been there. MAN, have I been there!! 

I blame movies. I mean it can't possibly be our fault, right?! The Movie Montage is the downfall of our culture. 
Here is the definition:
"a technique in film editing in which a series of short shots are edited into a sequence to condense space, time, and information."

The Movie Montage was created in the 80's. (guess what decade I grew up in?)
The first movie to have it? Rocky.
Sylvester Stallone is a flabby, out of shape bruiser, working miserably as hired muscle. Then he gets this incredible opportunity that is going to completely change his life. Then...the music starts. Eye of the Tiger. In the span of a 4 minute and 10 second song, Rocky is transformed into a powerful boxing champion. He drinks a couple eggs, chases a few chickens and before we know if, he runs up a bunch of stairs and is READY to take on the world.

So what do I do? I put my earbuds in and head to the gym. Then, 4 minutes and 10 seconds later I'm done. Right?
Oh...
So, what do you mean I will have to hit the gym 3x week and change my diet to have the body I want in a...did you say year?!
It's going to take how long to grow a garden full of healthy food for my family to eat?!
I'm going to have to devote how much time to studying?!

Here's what I'm getting at. We expect too much too quickly. I want to find a few things I am really passionate about and then give it my all. My all is sometimes terrible. Sometimes nothing. But I'm not going to give up.

Try this: Start going to the gym 2x (Or 1x!)week and start slow. Cut out ONE unhealthy kind of food in your house if you want to purge your family of processed foods. Then, when everyone has found a new balance: cut out ONE more thing. Go to the library and check out a few books on the subject your passionate about and study them like you are in school. Take your time. Enjoy it.

Don't try to do so much you feel like you've failed.

And if you need to play a little Eye of the Tiger in the background for motivation~ You'll find no judgement here!!

WRECKED Kitchen...Proceed with great caution of either relief or judgement.

Oh yea. 
This is how my kitchen looked this morning. 

And you know what I did while it looked like this? I watched Sesame Street and played "chase" with my Monkey baby.  

Still think I shouldn't feel guilty? Get a load of this...some days when the kitchen looks worse than this, (yup, worse!) while Monkey #3 is napping I read a book. OR watch a show. 

Oh yea, you heard me right.

Because you know what?  It will get there. And because I read that book or watched that show, I DON'T clean the kitchen while muttering profanities under my breath.

See. A crumb and profanity free kitchen. 

Mid-Thirties and Disney Movies

This month I turn 35. I'm not afraid of you mid-thirties. 
Okay, maybe just a little. 

I lean on the"happy" side of getting older. It is mostly because of how I feel about myself. If I could go back in  time and give myself advice, it would be, "embrace who you are."  It's okay if nobody else "gets you" or you constantly feel like a black sheep. There is a reason you are who you are. And it is a BEAUTIFUL reason. 

I would also tell myself that straight irons were going to revolutionize our life. Can I get a "Yeeeahhhh!!" from all the curly haired girls???

Okay, so maybe I get spray tans to mask my neon- paleness, and perhaps I use foundation to cover up my ever-pink facial hue. Yes, I do grace the gym with my presence 3x week to get toned arms and my hair has been every color found in nature. And a few not found in nature.
I'm not saying you can't improve some things about yourself if you want. But be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Not because of fear or pressure from someone else. Do it for yourself. That is the only way it will stick. 

Stop comparing yourself. Seriously. Stop. 
My severe lack of gracefulness will never lead me to be a ballerina. And my genetics and propensity to eat cake has kept me from being a supermodel. But those dancing slippers look WAY uncomfortable and who wants to date Leonardo DiCaprio anyway? 
My 17 year old self would be shocked to hear me say that last sentence (well...the DiCaprio part anyway).

But here is my point. Find beauty in who you are. Don't hide who you are to the world because you are afraid of rejection.  

I refuse to now talk about a certain Disney movie with an Ice Queen. I am in my 30's and get life philosophy from kid movies?? Really?! 
Think about it this way, there is a reason that story resonated in so many hearts. The embrace of self acceptance. And finding beauty in yourself. Most importantly, those 2 elements being the key to unlock the problems in your life. 

I'm not saying this will solve all your problems. But maybe, you will approach life, problems and relationships differently.

Meet me. The Queen of Random: I like werewolves. And vampires. Not the sissy, girly kind of vampires. The darker kinds. I like motor cross and monster truck rallys.  I love to read Jane Austin novels, cry and sigh when the couple gets together. But I can't stand most romantic comedies. gag. I like having long, deep conversations and wearing pants. Dresses are beautiful to look at, but wearing them is a different story. In fact, if you see me in a dress it is either because I feel socially obligated or The Professor has specifically asked.

I have learned to love this crazy person (and believe me, this is only the TIP of the random-iceberg). And find beauty in what she loves. I find this amazing. And what I find more amazing is that I found someone that loves this crazy person with me. The Professor loves me. And I don't hold anything about myself back from him.  

So the question enters my mind... Is it easier for someone else to see the beauty in you AFTER you have seen it in yourself?

But honestly, if NO ONE else sees it in you... that's is okay! See it in yourself. It's there. I promise.

Life Rules and Laundry

Hmmm...some people upon entering a room with a similar view, would have a strong desire to organize! This pile would be put into categories of either color, room it goes into or person it belongs to (*cough! "The Professor"). They would tackle this task with purpose. Some would walk away and find a magazine to read. 

I'm a little of both.

There is a fine line between taking care of what needs to be done and OVER doing it. I am a rebel. I walk this line often and fall onto both sides, depending on the day.  

I don't like rules. They make me mad. Even if they make complete sense and I agree with them. This is just a part of who I am. I have issues, but we will maybe get to that another day.

Here is something that helps me. Like REALLY helps me. I call it my "Life Rules". I will resist the temptation to rebel again my own rules long enough to tell you about them. 

1) Forgive Yourself

2) Focus on the People and Things You Love Most

3) Be Organized and Disciplined Enough to Accomplish Rule #2.

4) If You have Failed at Rule #2 and #3, Please Refer to Rule #1.

So yes, there are days when I have focused on playing with my 3 Monkeys so much that I hear from upstairs, "MOM! I don't have any clean underware!" But I have also had times when cleaning the UNDERside of my kitchen table (yea, I know. Issues.) so long that Monkey #2 comes to me and says, "Mommy, can you come sit with me?" 

Maybe you were going to get up early to do some editing on your latest screenplay, only to be up late with a Monkey who had a bad dream. It's okay. ALL IS NOT LOST.  Forgive yourself. There is always tomorrow. You can do this. You.Can.Do.This.

All the desires in your heart can be fulfilled. They.Can.Be.Fulfilled.

I will leave you with this great quote...

"Don’t miss a great season of your life wishing you had more, complaining about what you can’t do. The real joy in life is in the simple things".  -Joel Osteen

Welcome to Reluctantville. Population: 1

Hi. So, here's why I am starting (yet another!) blog. I like people. I like helping people. I like to see people living fulfilling, fun lives with the people they love around them. I'm on a quest to find a simple life. Not simple like only owning 2 pairs of shorts, simple. Simple like...focused on what I love. Life is short. We should find the people and things we are passionate about and "focus" on that. But here's the kicker: Life is also loooong. And problems, challenges, issues, etc get in the way of that "focus" we are trying to achieve.

So, here is my contribution. I face all new challenges with RELUCTANCE. And laughter. MUCH laughter. Mostly at myself. When I approach a new "subject" I do so with fear, prayer, antacids, research, denial, more prayer....you get the idea. The "subject" could be 'How to get that funky smell out of your kitchen towels?"  to "How to Write Your First Screenplay".

Did I mention that I am also the Queen of Random? I am. I'm her.

My last blog was heavy. I mean, we were in Colorado going to school...So if you are into heavy spiritual stuff, check it out.
http://harpersthecoloradoadventure.blogspot.com/

But that is not what this blog is for. Although, I can't promise I won't throw one in there every now and again. It is just a part of who I am. 

So, I shall hence be named, "Queen of Random" and along with "The Professor" (my husband) and Monkeys #1, #2 & #3 (my 3 sons), I will share our Life Adventures. In the hopes that I will encourage, be encouraged myself,  bring joy and laughter to you, and help you (and me!) realize....anything is possible.