Making your way in the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came...
Growing up, I faded into the woodwork. I wasn't as much a wallflower as I was an active avoider of the spotlight. Where my sisters thrived on attention, it made me feel creepy, uncomfortable, and awkward.
I made my moves in secret and with a mantle of shame. I wanted to want all eyes on me, but that's not the girl I was. Still today, people will meet me and say,
I know your older sister and your younger sister, but I didn't know there was someone in between. Even the mountain man (a man who may just be allergic to limelight) likes to make fun of me for being the phantom sibling.
And, yet, here I am. Active in my community to such a point that my name (usually misspelled) and face are in the local newspaper. Introducing myself to community leaders and feeling on-par with them in terms of education, success, and clout. Spotting unique needs in the community and trusting myself to develop
projects and initiatives that meet those needs. Steering my own ship proudly, loudly, without any apologies and with my big signature smile.
I'm still learning who I am and what I stand for, but I really like the place I'm in right now. I feel smart and wily and driven. I have found a level of both professional and personal success that my younger self could never even imagine. And I welcome the shining light of positive attention.
Tomorrow I may seek the comfort of the back wall where I can hide from the probing eyes of those who seek to highlight my faults and shower me in negativity, but today ...
right this second ... I am humble and grateful and really damn happy that I didn't give up -- not on my career, not on this life, and not on myself.
I am comfortable in my skin. I know my name, my worth, and my progress. I'm making my way in this world, and I'm doing it on my terms.
It feels so good.
This is beautiful Kelly! And you are fortunate to have found this place at a young enough age, that you can always find your way back and really love life! It took me far longer to get there.
Kelly what is remarkable is that you are now where you are having come from such a very different place. Achieving great things in life takes effort, but it requires real guts and determination when all around you are determined you will not shine.
This is a beautifully written post.
Wow that was a wonderful post. I feel like you have felt, not liking any kind of spotlight, however it is not going to stop me from moving forward!!!
This is beautifully written as always, Kelly.
"I'm still learning who I am and what I stand for," I know what you mean. Every day is another step. Sometimes forward, sometimes back. I always thought when I was a grown up it would all be so much clearer. In some ways it is, but the journey is by no means over, is it?
Kelly. Goosebumps. Yes. Indeedy.
And for all the reasons you share here, I would not go back 5 or 10 or 15 years. The ME of now is so much more ME. And I'm happy with her. Humble and grateful and happy!
Imma gonna give you a !!!
Wow. There are so many times I feel like you are a second part of myself. I mean I've always craved the spotlight, but there's always been a lot of criticism and negetivity, but today, I feel the exact same as you. I am comfortable in my own skin, with who I am, etc. This is a fabulous post.
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What a great and inspiring post. Really Kelly, so lovely. You should be so proud, it's a rare woman who can get to this point. Cherish it and keep going!
Good for you, Kelly! I think if a person can reach a point of being comfortable in their own skin and in their life, that may very well be the biggest achieve or sign of success.
Waht a great place to be, Kelly. Cheers to not giving up!
"I am comfortable in my skin. I know my name, my worth, and my progress. I'm making my way in this world, and I'm doing it on my terms. It feels so good. "
This is so incredible :) What a good place to be in!
Wonderful and inspiring to read. Fabulous!!! And I mean !!!
I'm proud of ya, girlfriend! No need to hide in the corner when you got brains like you do, and you're cute too! I mean dam girl, we're buds aren't we??? Wonderful Post! You're really have a way with words! Okay, listen you need to stop at my blog tomorrow, and check it out! Have a good night!
Kelly, you've been doing some amazing writing lately. I'm proud of you, for where you are now and how far you have come.
That is a good feeling!!
This is SO inspiring. You are amazing and you should be proud of who you are and what you're accomplishing. And, of course, the example you're setting for your kids.
(Although I do have a bone to pick with you - I've been singing the Cheers theme song for two days now. THANKS, KELLY.)
You go girl! This post makes me so happy for you. And while I love that song, I'm less than pleased that it's now stuck in my head. ;)