September blog 2024

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If someone asked you to describe yourself in one word,
what type of word would you choose?

Would it be a word that describes your character,
​ your occupation, what is vital in your life,
or
maybe something that is essential
​to your meaning and existence?

For me, I feel, that in order to describe myself,
I would essentially have to look inward
to my true self and identity.  
WOW!
That's not an easy task.
Especially when I'm portraying myself in one word.
For me, I find that it's extremely difficult to describe myself.
​However, to describe other people 
and animals in one word is fairly easy for me to do..
For instance, if I had to describe Barney and Picasso in one word,
​that word would most definitely be...LOVE.
Me?
​I'm not quite sure what the one word would be.

But why??

As I write this blog,
I've been researching the "Why's and Why Not's" some of us find it so hard to describe ourselves in any way, let alone, one word! What I've learned from my research is that one of the main reasons people, like me, find it so hard is that we're constantly thinking about what others think of us. We're afraid that if we act real, we can be judged by the people around us. I would venture to say that to have a self-identity based on what other people's perspectives are of us is basically not really looking at oneself, but running away from our true selves.
Will people find out that sometimes I get angry and sometimes cry over things that I've created? So what?
We're human, after all.

​I remember an instance many years ago in my life when I always said "Hello" to a co-worker of mine. Everyday, I said "Hello" to her and everyday she ignored me. I was upset about this until one day when I told a very wise man about how upsetting this was to me. He told me that I can only try my best. He said don't stop being who you are...if she doesn't say "Hello" back, that's her problem! I immediately saw things in a different light.
I thought I had done something wrong to her...
I was blaming myself for a problem that she may have had. 

Secondly,  there's the part of me that feels that if I express my attributes in any way, I'm bragging.
From an very early age,
I thought that bragging about oneself was wrong.
Well, not anymore.
When I see my grandchildren and ask them to tell me about what they've done lately...
they always tell me about their accomplishments.
It's refreshing to hear how confident
and secure they are in their skins.
I admire that!
I've come to realize that other people's perspectives of me are just their perspectives...not mine.
So, my advise to you and me too, is...🥰
​We should be proud of who we are
and ALL of our accomplishments.

So, brag!  Brag away!! ​

As I struggle with this question,
​I can't help but reflect on what I've done
​and who I am as a person.. 

Sure, I'm a wife, mom, grandma, artist, author,
​"Howling Talent" Podcast Host, Blogger,
Therapy Dog Handler, volunteer, etc.
That's what I do.
But, who do I say I am in one word?

​Childlike

I encourage you to do this exercise yourself.
Your one word must be positive and optimistic.
​You'll be surprised to learn how remarkable
​and PAWsome you are!!

As the school year begins for some, be safe and learn well!
Remember to keep creating, keep learning
​and keep inspiring others to do the same!
​Happy Fall!!
Happy Tales to you,
xoxo Yvonne