I have been on this earth for a little over 18 years. That comes down to be somewhere around 6,000 to 7,000 days.
Using my best estimate that is about 2,000 slices of pizza, and 1,000 cups of coffee -- and counting.
I heard once in a woman's lifetime she will swallow about seven pounds of lipsticks, and I have no idea how true that is, but I think I am already on my way there.
So, while those numbers define my dietary prerogative, there is more to that than the numbers. There are the lessons I have learned and the wisdom I have gathered. No, I am nowhere yet near wise, and despite being 18 I do not really consider myself an adult, but here is what I do know.
1. Wear your bright lipstick!
As I mentioned earlier, I am on my way to swallowing seven pounds of lipstick. This is because I love lipstick, and I stopped fearing the "non-traditional" colors and started trying purples and blues and oranges.
I stopped fearing being different and did what I love. And that's how it should be with everything. Not just our bright lipstick, but let ourselves shine. Wear green lipstick and blue eyeliner. Wear that quirky outfit that you love. As my history teacher would say, "Let your freak flag fly!"
2. Sing loudly!
I love to sing. I am not very good, but when a song comes on that I love I will let it roll off my tongue, deep from my lungs, and fly out into the air.
This is the same with my dancing. I am no professional dancer. I should not be doing musicals. But, I love to wave my body, swing myself around, and move myself to the jam as it rushes through my ears. When a song hits you, it hits you, and you are "moving and grooving."
As I write this, I am listening to Luke Bryan, because I am preparing myself to sing loudly at his concert tonight, dance wildly, and have a great time.
3. Breathe.
Sometimes I literally forget to breathe. When I am anxious and nervous, I do not breathe like I should and my whole body tenses up.
So, when you are nervous or worried or scared, inhale then exhale. Take the breath as a grounding moment and prepare yourself. Know that whatever you are scared of or nervous about will not be as bad as you think it will be. Envision it going well, and inhale and exhale.
4. Be your own source of happiness.
I am still working on being stronger in my life, but I know it is true. Friends and significant others can come and go. But you always have you, and you need to love yourself like you would love your best friend. Treat yourself and love yourself, despite your flaws, and know that you are an imperfectly perfect human being.
