"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." - Marilyn Monroe
So I was reading for my homework this weekend, and there was this article that talked about "integrity." Okay, so I know you probably don't want to talk about homework, I don't either. But I promise - this actually does fit with you.
You'll hear people use that word a lot - integrity - when they are talking about what kind of person someone is (and when they want to sound smart). As in, "Oprah is a woman of integrity." Integrity means that you a person with values, and you consistently act upon them. But another definition is "the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished." You are a whole person, a whole you.
So anyways, here is my point: being an FG isn't so much about about being right or knowing what the right thing to do is, but it's about action. It's not being perfect, but it's being the whole person that you are, and showing respect for yourself and others through what you do. It's standing up for your best friend even when she's not around. It's deciding not to cheat on the test, even if it means taking a bad grade. And it's being strong enough to not just go along with something just because everybody else is doing it.
This "integrity" stuff isn't that easy. Even when we know what's right in our hearts, it's not always easy to work up the courage to act on it. It can be especially hard to do when your choice isn't the popular one. But in the end, it's always better to go with what you know you need to do. People will understand, and if they don't, then that's a good sign they aren't worth your time. Life's what you make it, right? Be smart about your choices, and use that integrity - you deserve it. That's what I learned this weekend.
xoxo
The Fab Gal
“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
Like we talked about, there are so many choices a Fab Gal has to make everyday. Friends, activities, shoes... too much to think about. It can mess with your head sometimes. But don't stress. Here are some tips for when life requires a little more than "eenie-meenie-miney-moe."
Pros and Cons - It is always a good place to start. What's good about one choice? What about the other? What will you miss out on if you go this way? Making a list can help you start organizing your thoughts.
Talk it Out - Of course, your opinion is the one that matters most. But sometimes, it can be nice to have someone to talk things over with, be it a mom, brother, or friend. Sometimes just saying things out loud can make everything clear, and they may have some good points. But remember - you need to listen to your heart in the end.
Respect Yourself - You should never make a decision based on how you will seem to someone else. But you should consider the impression that you will make on yourself. If you know that making a choice will make you feel bad or won't match you and your beliefs, then there is no choice. It can be hard, but you always need to respect who you are.
Listen to your Gut - What feels like the right decision? Sometimes our intuition is trying to guide us in the right direction, we just don't always listen. If you have a good or bad feeling you can't explain, go with it. It's probably right.
Don't Worry - You are totally Fab, but you are not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes. Things don't always turn out how we expect. That's okay. You've got a lot of life and a lot of choices ahead of you, so just learn from this one and move on.
Have you had to make any difficult decisions lately? What helped you get through them? Leave a comment to let your FGs know!
Do you ever realize how many decisions we have to make in a day? I was trying to start a count. The alarm goes off, Do I really have to get out of bed? Open up the dresser, light jeans or dark jeans? Which sweatshirt? Sneakers or flats? Okay, so now you're dressed. But the day has hardly begun...
I read an article recently, about how we are given too many choices and how much better life would be if we didn't have them. That seems like a really silly thing to complain about. Too many choices? That's like complaining about having too many shoes, or too much ice cream.
Admittedly, I really don't like making decisions. I am pretty indecisive, weighing the issues back and forth. If it's just picking a movie with friends, I'll let them decide. Lately, though, it's seemed like there are bigger decisions than strawberry or vanilla. That's when I really do think that there are too many choices.
Unfortunately, when life brings you to those crossroads, there really isn't an easy way out. Realistically, making no decision or letting someone decide for you is nowhere near as good as just picking for yourself, one way or another. It can get really frustrating. But you have to keep it in perspective; while things may seem bad now, in the long run it's definitely not the end of the world. Whether your decision turns out to be the "right" one or the "wrong" one, things will work themselves out in the end. Besides, having multiple choices means that you have multiple opportunities. All you can do is take your best shot and go for it! I'll be cheering for you.
