Be True to Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everyone else… means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.  -e.e.cummings

I am not an avid reality show watcher, I never really have been.  Weekly watching someone else's life and all the drama that can go with the situation created is not what I consider entertainment.  Yet I will admit that I have a guilty pleasure of watching Survivor on occasion.  Although I still do not watch it on a regular basis, if there is something that catches my interest I will tune in occasionally, especially at the finale. 

 Last night I watched the finale of the most recent Survivor show.  One of the players was the nephew of a player in previous shows who truly proved what it meant to be an out and out liar and then to not have any problem with it.  Of course I am talking about Russell.  His nephew Brandon played this season.  On several occasions he stated how he wanted to try and return some goodness to his family name and the example that Russell had left in his previous 3 shows appearances.  He tried to play with honesty and an forwardness that I enjoyed.  Although I will say that there were some that did not like his manner of telling it like it is, I found it refreshing in a world where it seems that so many just tell you what they think you want to hear.

 

Most people are other people.  Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.  Oscar Wilde

He did not win of course.  It was his honesty and true compassion to help out another that did him in.  He spoke last night about how the experience changed and also strengthened him and his convictions.  He also talked about how because of this change and the manner in which he exhibited his passions on national TV inevitably alienated him from his family per their choosing.  He had no one from his family there to support him last night.  No one was there to congratulate him on a good game except his fellow players and others in the audience.  His uncle Russell was there, yet it was only to ridicule his ridiculous manner of playing the game. 

Many times in life we have opportunities to stand up for something we claim to the comfortable crowd that we believe in.  When I say comfortable crowd I mean those of like ways and beliefs.  It takes little courage to stand up in a room where so many others would say the same words as you.  Yet to walk among others who hold a different view can be a very unpleasant and often difficult experience.  I take my hat off to Brandon for standing behind what he claimed was him.  I commend him for continuing to do so even after his return home and the discomfort he received as well as the cold shoulders and lack of compassion.  It is people like him that will eventually make a difference.  Next time you are given a chance to speak your voice and say something to support the convictions that you hold deep in the corners of your heart remember… If we become so accustomed to disguising ourselves to other people  eventually we will also become disguised to ourselves. 

Never be bullied into silence, Never allow yourself to be made a victim.  Accept no one’s definition of your life;

 Define yourself. 

Thank Goodness Its Friday -

Well Friday is finally here and I have to say I am glad.... It has been an eventful week that seemed to run by quite quickly to say the least, yet also seemed to drag itself out. Is that possible? Monday started full steam and it appeared that I would do a wonderful job of getting all my chores and want to do list completed or at least a good start to them... The weather was nice and still I stayed inside and did the things I knew had to be started.

Tuesday came and since I did such a great job the day before, I splurged a bit and did not do as much... Played with Winston and the cats, read my new book, and worked on my Celtic Tree Lore postings. I am trying to get them worked up ahead so I can just have them scheduled to post. It was a relaxing day and quite enjoyable.

Then Wednesday came..... I should know better than to slack too much so early in the week; although it has always been my problem to this. I always think I have plenty of time to get things done. Yet Wednesday morning greeted me with a wonderful bout with my allergies. And believe me I do mean that sarcastically. It was anything but wonderful. Puffy watery eyes, runny nose, the works. I started the medicine immediately even though I had been on my Allegra for a couple weeks already. And just like usual, the day I “thought” I would be catching up I truly did feel like not doing a darn thing. Yes there were things I did need to do like take Winston out for his potty breaks, which I am sure the neighbors enjoyed. I walked like an 80 year old woman. He wanted so to play yet I was just not up to running with him like I usually do.

So my entire Wednesday was shot. Nothing really got done. I just sat and tried like ever to keep my nose from running all over me. My highlight of the day was finding a can of chicken noodle soup for supper… I took a Benadryl that evening and was out like a light. Winston also was a good boy and slept all through the night until 6 am. When I woke yesterday I felt a bit better and so I was back at it… Completed the paper work I needed to get done and cleaned my kitchen and did some laundry. Wrote and posted my weekly writings on Ewitch - About My Love of Gardening and felt pretty good. The day was simply wonderful with no wind at all.   I had to go outside and enjoy it just a bit. While I was out I could see the yard and how it needed mowing.

Not a good idea for someone who was combating allergies yet I figured I could at least mow the back around the porch. It would not take me that long and the fresh air would do me good. Well when all was said and done, I had mowed the entire yard. I will say that it does look worlds better yet I did pay for it as evening rolled around. The allergies came back to visit while I watched Survivor and continued until I went to bed. It probably did not help matters that I was a bit vocal at the stupidity of the people on Survivor. Winston thinks I am mad I know as there was no one to listen to my disgust but him and he didn’t really want to hear it.

We both went to bed early and woke this morning to another nice day. The stuffy nose is still with me and more than likely will be for a few more days. Yet I am determined to get a few more things done today. I have errands to run, and a few chores to finish, then the weekend… Vincent comes home this evening and no more early morning potty break calls at least for a couple days. By Monday hopefully this runny nose will be gone and I will have a new grandbaby to talk about. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings