Unapologetically You

We're all jumping into 2021 like...

Which got me to thinking... This year, why be you, when you could be unapologetically, unabashedly you?

So, I have two fabulous kids and one fabulous husband, and two dogs (Fine, two fabulous dogs). We're constantly swapping life lessons with each other - whether we realize it or not. Sometimes they're lessons we want to show the others and sometimes they're lessons we didn't even realize we needed to learn.

Growing up I was really concerned with looking foolish, or being crap at things - Even if they were things I didn't even want to be good at! I was so concerned with how I was 'fitting' into life's moments that I sort of forgot to actually live them. I remember spending many afternoons sulking alone on the sidelines while my pals scampered around me laughing and learning and LIVING, and ultimately, leaving me behind. Darkly ironic considering the whole point of sitting out was to come across as shiny and well liked - like someone who didn't suffer from learning curves... Fast forward to being a 'grown up' and realizing that all of the things I was too embarrassed to try as a child were still looming over my head- almost as if they were mocking me (and probably going to be even more humbling to learn as an adult!).

My son, Jacob, is in grade 7 this year. He's 12 and adorable, and at that age where he will turn bright red and burst into giggles if someone says the word 'boobs' (so you can imagine what gets said more than anything else around our home). A few weeks ago we had our Student, Parent, Teacher conferences -and like everything else they were done via zoom. But it was the first time I'd had a chance to 'meet' Jacob's teacher, so I was super excited. She gave me all the shiny feedback that every parent loves to hear -my son is kind, considerate, everyone's friend, hardworking.... and then she said, 'But I think my favourite thing about Jacob is that he's so unapologetically himself, which I don't see a lot of in Gr7.' To which Jacob looked at me, somewhat perplexed and whispered, 'Did she just call me weird??' Ha! Ummm, well, maybe? But I'm sure it was weird in the most wonderful way!

See, Jacob is so not concerned with people judging his appearance, his activity choices, his sense of humour, etc etc... which means he has the energy to pour his authentic self into every interaction or activity he's involved in - 'Why would you not wear joggers? Jeans are so hard to run in.' 'If you weren't meant to ride the features, they wouldn't build them.' 'Say what you want about opera, but that Andrea Bocelli can SING.' 'Huh... I wonder how I got smoothie on my ear??'

Occasionally I can see in him glimpses of my too-serious childhood self, but mercifully his enthusiasm for life is larger than himself, and he can't help but to be all in - giggling, and cheering with abandon for all that brings him happiness (be it people, or places, or food or activities...). As a result, he enjoys himself, and thus, people enjoy being around him, which only adds to the richness of the experience. Makes sense when you think about it.

In the end, maybe we need to ask who we're living this life for? Who are we really trying to impress? What are we waiting for? I say we wipe that smoothie off our ears, throw on our jogging pants, blare that opera music, and ride those features people! We really do only have one life to live, so why not make the most of making ourselves smile?